The “Luke Shield” might be a shared tradition, but the trophy itself seems to have found a permanent permanent residence at Kotahena. On Saturday, April 11, 2026, St. Benedict’s College extended their ruthless dominance over Wesley College, clinching a four-wicket victory at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) grounds and maintaining a 100% win record since the tournament’s inception.
The Bitar Masterclass
The narrative of the day was written by Benedictine opener Tehan Bitar. In a high-pressure chase, Bitar remained an immovable object, crafting a “chanceless” and majestic 111 not out. While others found the SSC track tricky, Bitar’s blade looked broader than the pitch itself, steering his side across the finish line in the penultimate over.
Wesley Throttled by Spin
Earlier in the day, Wesley College struggled to find momentum after electing to bat. They were strangled by a masterclass in discipline from left-arm spinner Vihanga Ratnayake. His figures of 3 for 25 in 10 overs acted as a straitjacket for the Wesley middle order, earning him the Best Bowler Award.
Wesley captain Rashmika Ameraratne provided the only real resistance, stranded on 43 not out as he ran out of partners, narrowly missing a well-deserved half-century. Wesley eventually folded for a subpar 193.
A Global Brotherhood
Under the leadership of 5th-year colorsman Mevan Dissanaike, and the tactical guidance of coach S.K. Perera, the Benedictines proved once again that they have mastered the limited-overs format.
Despite the “stranglehold” on the trophy, the spirit of the encounter remained fraternal. The SSC was transformed into a carnival of camaraderie, with hundreds of Old Boys flying in from across the globe. This fixture has transcended a local school match, evolving into a global brand with “Bens-Wesley” encounters now being staged in:
- Australia: Melbourne & Sydney
- New Zealand: Auckland
- UK: London
- Canada: Toronto
- UAE: Dubai/Abu Dhabi
As the Benedictines celebrate another year of “clear superiority,” Wesley is left to return to the drawing board, wondering what it will take to finally break the Benedictine monopoly on the Luke Shield.