The Prince of Wales'–St. Sebastian's Cricket Encounter (The Battle of the Golds) is an annual cricket match played between Prince of Wales' College (PWC) and St. Sebastian's College (SSC) since 1933. It is known as The Battle of the Golds due to the colours of the two school's flags i.e. Purple, Gold and Maroon of Prince of Wales' College and Green, White & Gold of St. Sebastian's College.
History The encounter is considered to be one of the oldest big matches in Sri Lanka as it dates back to 1933. The first match in the sequence was played in 1933 under captain, Eugine Silva of St. Sebastian's College and Duncan Fernando of Prince of Wales College. The inaugural match however ended in a low scoring draw. In 1935 the Cambrians made history by recording the first win of the series with Ernie F. de Mel leading the side. De Mel's side registered a thrilling 4-wicket win against their rivals led by Earl Wijesinghe. The Cambrians led by KM Jayasekara went on to register back-to-back wins in the following two years by a thrilling 43-runs in 1936 and a comfortable innings and 87 runs in 1937. On both occasions, K.A.S Perera captained St. Sebastian's. There was a break in the series from 1938 to 1953.
The series resumed in 1954 with the match ending in a high-scoring draw. In 1955 Raymond de Silva's Sebastianites lost to the Cambrians for the fourth time by 9 wickets. Prince of Wales' was led by Stanley de Alwis. Draws followed for the next three years and Prince of Wales' expanded their winning tally to 5–nil in 1959 with an emphatic innings and 56-run win. Suranjith Mendis led the winning side while his counterpart was Sirimal Fernando. The encounter continued in stalemates for two years and in 1962 St. Sebastian's got their first-ever victory under Priyantha Fernando. They beat the Cambrians led by Hyasti Aponso by 5 wickets. After three consecutive draws, St. Sebastian's recorded their second win under Sarath Perera. Perera's side beat the Cambrians captained by Leslie de Silva by massive innings and 152 runs. Deadlocks followed for a decade until the Cambrians led by Pemlal Fernando recorded an 8-wicket win in a low-scoring encounter against Walter Fernando's Sebastianites.
Since the start, the Cambrians have six wins while the Sebastianites have won four times in the series with the rest ending in draws. St Sebastian's had their last victory in 2024 under the guidance of Captain Manuja Chanthuka. Prince of Wales's has not won a match since 1977.
Among the outstanding performances in the encounter Nilantha Bopage from Prince of Wales holds the record for the highest run scorer in a match with 179 not out in 1991. For the Sebastian's Nalin Peiris was the highest scorer with two centuries in years 1957 and 1958. Among the leading wicket takers, the record for the most number of wickets in the series is held by Roger Wijesuriya taking 22 wickets for St. Sebastians from 1975 to 1979.
Limited Over match started in 1981. It wasn't played between 1983 and 1987. Twenty20 match was started in 2023 and the inaugural match was played at R. Premadasa Stadium. Twenty20 match is played for Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle & M.E.C. Fernando Memorial Challenge Trophy. From the beginning to 2024 Test format encounter was played as a 2-day match, but starting from 2025, it is being played as a 3-day encounter.
Highest Aggregate of Runs in the Big Match Series is by Sahan Wijeratne. Sahan Wijeratne representing Cambrians from 2000 to 2003 scored 441 runs including two centuries and two half-centuries with his series aggregate of 73.5. He is the first centurion of the Limited Over Match with a score of 116 runs in 2003.
During their history, both schools have produced prominent cricketers to the national stream. Beginning from Anton Sethupathy, Duleep Mendis, Prasanna Jayawardene, Amal Silva, Somachandra de Silva, Dr. O.L.F. Senaratne, H.I. Femando, Nisal Senaratne, Stanley de Alwis, Lasantha Rodrigo, Anura Polonowita, D.S. de Silva, Sarath Fernando, Lantra Fernando, Granville de Silva, Chaminda Mendis, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Amila Aponso, Shehan Jayasuriya, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama to Lahiru Thirimanne and Kusal Mendis.
Atmosphere The "Battle of the Golds" is filled with pageantry. With decorated tents, flags and baila singing and dancing groups present all around the Moratuwa city and the ground itself during the match days and in the days leading up to it. The 3-day match is held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 1-day limited over match is held on Saturday and Twenty20 match is held on Sunday of the following week. By tradition, the schools are closed on match days to allow students to attend the Big Match. Souvenirs published by the both schools. Before the match, the students of each school take a motorcade (well known as "The Truck Parade") with bands and decorations and other colorful items showing support for their team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing and careering along the streets is a familiar sight during match days.
The match is attended by a variety of people, including many with no direct connection to either school, and features a celebratory atmosphere. It is normal to see elderly alumni the schools coming to the "Big Match" to relive old times and reunite with old friends.
Past Results 3-Day Matches
Results of the 3-day matches (Previously 2-day) Matches Played – 76 Matches Drawn – 65 Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 06 Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 04 Matches with no-result – 01
Records
Prince of Wales' College Highest Score: 179 (not out) by Nilantha Bopage in 1991 Best Bowling: 7 for 33 by Suranga Wijenayake in 1995 Highest Total: 415/9 in 1958 Lowest Total: 67 in 1984 Highest Partnership: 247 by WG Fernando and Sunil de Silva in 1960
St. Sebastian's College: Highest Score: 148 by Gerald Mendis in 1966 Best Bowling: 8 for 53 by Anuk de Alwis in 2009 Highest Total: 363/3 in 2011 Lowest Total: 36 in 1937 Highest Partnership: 219 runs by Jude Fernando and Prasanna Fernando in 1978
Result Table Year PWC SSC Result 1st Ings 2nd Ings 1st Ings 2nd Ings 1933 +145 98/7 88 43/8 Drawn 1934 +269 - 71 45/2 Drawn 1935 114 102/6 +127 88 Won by Prince of Wales' College 1936 +105 237 140 159 Won by Prince of Wales' College 1937 292 - +169 36 Won by Prince of Wales' College 1938–1953 not played 1954 +242 184/2 365/7 16/2 Drawn 1955 274 56/1 +139 190 Won by Prince of Wales' College 1956 +213/3 115/3 180/9 117/6 Drawn 1957 245 56/4 +140 233/6 Drawn 1958 415/9 - +319 69/4 Drawn 1959 +263 - 119 88 Won by Prince of Wales' College 1960 +325/1 - 113 182/5 Drawn 1961 199 72/3 +178 155/9 Drawn 1962 +170 161 174 159/5 Won by St. Sebastian's College 1963 303/8 - +176 139/6 Drawn 1964 +176 160/7 195 50/7 Drawn 1965 208 160/6 186 138/5 Drawn 1966 76 93 +321/7 - Won by St. Sebastian's College 1967 +259/6 111/5 215 - Drawn 1968 +285 - 143 280/8 Drawn 1969–1970 not played 1971 +200/769180/517/4 Drawn 197215261/2 +124197/4 Drawn 197315129/0 +206/8111/5 Drawn 1974 +124295/7215/8 - Drawn 1975 +199/6 85/9 171/3 27/4 Drawn 1976 +169140/7150/764/2 Drawn 1977117/941/2 +8670 Won by Prince of Wales' College 197819127/5 +264/5102/4 Drawn 1979 +154153/6184/749/2 Drawn 1980 +114192165/860/3 Drawn 1981 +181/8106/815852/2 Drawn 1982 +192/9105/6192/7 - Drawn 1983 +161141/6196/5 - Drawn 1984 +16367144/755/7 Drawn 1985 +13757/4192/8 - Drawn 1986127/560/4 +188/673/4 Drawn 1987 +165/9162/8148/887/1 Drawn 1988 +186/877/4105/960/4 Drawn 198915954/3 +208/285/4 Drawn 1990 +191/7102/1131/878/1 Drawn 1991 351/5 - +174/6 - Drawn 1992 213/9 - 287/9 - Drawn 1993262/9 - +187/8106/5 Drawn 1994 +120113/9184 - Drawn 1995 +17597/714418/0 Drawn 1996 +91116/8154/9 - Drawn 1997 +197/8131/4325/4 - Drawn 1998 172/5 - 285/9 - Drawn 1999246 - +219123/2 Drawn 2000166/7 - +162119/8 Drawn 2001191/5161/4255/8 - Drawn 2002232/9211/7255/9 - Drawn 2003 +200/925/1271/7 - Drawn 2004173121 +12087/7 Drawn 200511131/2 +15894/7 Drawn 2006 +179135/3271/8 - Drawn 2007 +192 177/9 198 71/2 Drawn 2008 +257/6 - 153 - Drawn 2009 +209 120/8 161 44/2 Drawn 2010 +185 157 167/6 23/2 Drawn 2011 +201 176 363/3 17/0 Won by St. Sebastian's College 2012 +161 160/8 252/8 - Drawn 2013 +162 135/5 180 - Drawn 2014 221/9 32/2 220 221 Drawn 2015 262/7 - 33/1 - Drawn 2016 141 148/4 188 182/6 Drawn 2017 +230 41/1 221 - Drawn 2018 227/7 - +159 153/6 Drawn 2019 +194 51/3 220/8 d - Drawn 2020 considered as a no-result 2021 174 17/0 +254 167/2 d Drawn 2022 +149 186/9 d 158/8 d 103/2 Drawn 2023 208 - +219/7 207/2 Drawn 2024 +219 164 288/8 d 91/6 Won by St. Sebastian's College 2025 +161 157/6 208 - Drawn 2026 263 54/5 +214 279/4 d Drawn + Batted Firstd - declared
1-Day Limited Over Matches
Results of the 1-day limited over matches Matches Played – 41 Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 21 Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 16 Matches with No Decision – 02 Matches Tied – 01 Matches with no-result – 01
Records
Prince of Wales' College Highest Total: 336/7 in 2023 Lowest Total: 62 in 1982 Highest Partnership: 197 runs by Tharindu Amarasinghe and Rivith Jayasuriya in 2023
St. Sebastian's College: Highest Total: 295/4 in 2023 Lowest Total: 90 in 2001 Highest Partnership: 149 runs by Adesh Almeida and Vimath Dinsara in 2023
Result Table Year PWC SSC Result 1981 150/5 +148 Prince of Wales' College won by 5 wickets 1982 +62 63/5 St. Sebastian's College won by 5 wickets 1983–1987 not played1988 +101 102/6 St. Sebastian's College won by 4 wickets1989 +193/9 194/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 1 wicket1990 48/2 +164/8 No Decision1991 +201/8 180 Prince of Wales' College won by 21 runs1992 163/2 +162 Prince of Wales' College won by 8 wickets1993 144/6 +143/9 Prince of Wales' College won by 4 wickets1994 142/8 +197 St. Sebastian's College won by 55 runs1995 144/5 +143 Prince of Wales' College won by 5 wickets1996 116 +163/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 47 runs1997 158 +250/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 92 runs1998 156/8 +192/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 36 runs1999 +227/8 206 Prince of Wales' College won by 21 runs2000 +85 86/4 St. Sebastian's College won by 6 wickets2001 92/5 +90 Prince of Wales' College won by 5 wickets2002 +220 225/8 St. Sebastian's College won by 2 wickets2003 +124 127/5 St. Sebastian's College won by 5 wickets2004 +205 125 Prince of Wales' College won by 80 runs2005 163 +176/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 13 runs2006 151/5 +149 Prince of Wales' College won by 5 wickets2007 181/8 +179 Prince of Wales' College won by 2 wickets 2008 DNP 143 No Decision 2009 +282/9 134 Prince of Wales' College won by 148 runs 2010 159/9 +158/8 Prince of Wales' College won by 1 wicket 2011 +287/9 288/4 St. Sebastian's College won by 6 wickets 2012 220 +275/8 St. Sebastian's College won by 55 runs 2013 91/4 +89 Prince of Wales' College won by 6 wickets 2014 182 182/7 Tied 2015 148 +225/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 77 runs 2016 +171 172/5 St. Sebastian's College won by 5 wickets 2017 +159 154/4 St. Sebastian's College won by 6 runs on D/L method 2018 +163/9 166/4 St. Sebastian's College won by 6 wickets 2019 169/6 +218/9 Prince of Wales' College won by 5 runs on D/L method 2020 considered as a no-result 2021 +134 132 Prince of Wales' College won by 2 runs 2022 211 +227/9 St. Sebastian's College won by 16 runs 2023 +336/7 295/4 St. Sebastian's College won by 6 wickets on D/L method 2024 245 +265 St. Sebastian's College won by 20 runs 2025 +224/7 119 Prince of Wales' College won by 105 runs 2026 +116 112/2 St. Sebastian's College won by 8 wickets on D/L method + Batted FirstDNP - Did Not Play
T20 Matches Results of the T20 matches Matches Played – 04 Matches Won by St. Sebastian's College – 04 Matches Won by Prince of Wales' College – 00
Result Table