Battle of the Rocks

Battle of the Rocks (Annites - Devans Big Match), the annual Cricket encounter is a prominent sporting event played between two schools in North Western province of Sri Lanka.

For the American Revolutionary War battle also called "Battle of the Rocks" fought in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1779 see Battle of Norwalk
Battle of the Rocks
SportCricket
Administrator(s)The two Old Boys' Associations of Maliyadeva and St. Anne's along with the school heads.
Timeline1950 – present[1]
Tournament formatAnnual 2 day (cricket) encounter
ParticipantsMaliyadeva College
St. Anne's College
Current championMaliyadeva College
Most successfulMaliyadeva College

The cricket match is played between Maliyadeva College & St. Anne's College annually at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala. The match is played over two days and the winner is presented with the Trophy. The two-day match is followed by a one-day match between the two sides which started in 1992.

The encounter has a long history. However, in certain years, it was not played due to various reasons. The year 2016 marked the 33rd 2-day encounter and 21st limited overs version of Battle of the Rocks.

Atmosphere

The Battle of the Rocks is filled with pageantry. With decorated tents, flags and Baila singing and dancing groups present all around the city and at the ground itself during the match days and in the days leading up to it. On the day before the match, the students of each school take a walk around the city in a cycle parade with bands and decorations and other colorful items showing support for their respective team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing along the Kurunegala streets is a familiar sight during match days.

The match is looked forward to by young and old, male and female and more of an occasion for the old boys and present students of both schools. It is quite normal to see 70-, 80-year-old alumni coming to the "Big Match" to relive old memories and meet their old friends.

Rockers' Parade

On the day before the match, the students of each school take a walk around the city in a vehicle parade with bands and decorations and other colorful items showing support for their respective team. Overloaded cars with supporters singing along the Kurunegala streets is a familiar sight during match days.

Summary of results

Maliyadeva College has won 6 matches so far out of the 33 played while the St. Anne's College has never won any.[1] All the others have ended in no decisions. Maliyadeva has won 13 matches (out of the 24 played) while St. Anne's has won 9 matches, in the limited overs encounter, while on 2 occasions, the two teams shared the trophy.

Year 2-day Match Limited Overs Match
1950
?
-
1964
Maliyadeva
-
1992
Drawn
St. Anne's
1997
Drawn
No Decision
2001
Drawn
No Decision
2005
Drawn
Maliyadeva
2006
Drawn
St. Anne’s
2007
Drawn
St. Anne's
2009
Drawn
St. Anne's
2012
-
Maliyadeva
2013
Maliyadeva
Maliyadeva
2014
Maliyadeva
Maliyadeva
2015
Drawn
Maliyadeva
2016
Drawn
St. Anne's
2017
Drawn
Maliyadeva
2018
Drawn
St. Anne's
2019
Drawn
St. Anne's

Notable players
  • Battle of the Rocks 2019
  • Ongoing 29th Battle of the Rocks Cricket encounter with the Elephant rock in the background. [2009]
  • Spectators at the boundary ropes trying to catch a glimpse of the action in the middle. [2009]
  • Excited crowd running towards the pitch to congratulate their players. [2009]
  • Crowd enjoying music and dancing during the match. [2009]
  • Cars decorated with the flag of the Maliyadeva College. [2009]
  • Maliyadeva and St. Anne's supporters with their cars. [2009]
  • Flag waving Maliyadeva supporters in the streets. [2009]
  • Maliyadeva supporters getting prepared for the motor cycle parade. [2009]
  • St Anne's College flag waving. [2009]
  • St Annes College supporters at Welagedara Ground. [2009]
  • St Annes College Flag with supporters. [2009]

See also

References

http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/03/11/sports/st-annes-take-maliyadeva-welagedara-today

  1. Maliyadeva-St. Anne's clash at Battle of the Rocks Archived March 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
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