St. Peter’s College, Colombo continued their dominance over Royal College by winning the annual Royal–Peters Tennis Encounter, played for the Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Challenge Shield, for the third consecutive time. After a thrilling tennis afternoon that showcased everything from tense tiebreaks to commanding finishes, the Peterites emerged victorious by a slim margin of 3–2.
The event took place at the P. Nagendran Tennis Complex at Royal College on the 1st of November 2025 and involved five matches comprising three singles and two doubles. The first school that got three wins would take home the precious Shield.
The first singles match set the tone for the rest of the day as Ashlin de Silva of St. Peter’s went to toe with Royal captain Methvan Wijemanne in an enthralling battle. Both players held serve amidst long rallies and tight points, but Ashlin kept his cool in the tiebreaker, winning 9–8 (7–3), thus giving St. Peter’s an early advantage.
Royal responded in the first doubles with Bhishman Balaratnarajah and Naqeeb Hussain, who after being down early turned the match around and beat Karthi Udayanchandran and Ajesh Kajan 9–6. The comeback win pulled Royal up to one all.
In the second singles contest, Peterite star Mayooran Kubherane produced an excellent performance to beat Ranida Ranaweera 9–5 and put his team in the lead again. Royal came back very strongly in the second doubles when Kavish Maddumage and Chenul Wickramasinghe outperformed Ashwin Kalidason and Jayan Sebastian 9–2, thus they were now set up for a deciding match.
The score having reverted to 2–2, the spotlight was now on the last singles. Ganuka Fernando took the pressure and came up with a professional display of consistency and control. He cleared the way for St. Peter’s by overpowering Ashmal Bilal 9–1 and winning the Shield for the third straight year.
The Peterites also tasted success in the Under-15 segment, recording their first-ever win in that age category since the inception of the encounter. The young Peterites displayed impressive skill and discipline to secure a comprehensive victory, adding to the school’s celebrations and highlighting the strong pipeline of emerging tennis talent at St. Peter’s College.
Both teams were led by experienced coaches. St. Peter’s were guided by Mr. Dinith Pathiraja, who has over 25 years of coaching experience and has served the school for more than two decades. He has produced several national players and represented Sri Lanka on multiple tours. Royal were coached by Mr. Niranjan Cassie Chetty, a seasoned mentor known for developing top junior talent and guiding many players to national success.
The Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Challenge Shield, introduced in 2023, commemorates two of Sri Lanka’s most respected tennis icons who represented the very schools that now contest the trophy. Arjun Fernando, a proud Royalist, and Percy Ernst, a distinguished Peterite and member of Sri Lanka’s first Davis Cup team in 1953, are both celebrated for their remarkable contribution to Sri Lankan tennis. The trophy stands as a symbol of friendship, rivalry, and excellence in the sport.
For St. Peter’s, this victory extends their unbeaten streak since the Shield’s inception in 2023 and reflects the depth and commitment of their tennis program. Royal, though disappointed, can take heart from their fighting spirit and the promise shown by their younger players.
The 2025 edition of the Shield will be remembered not just for the result, but for the spirit of competition and camaraderie that continues to define this growing rivalry.
Match Summary:
- St. Peter’s College beat Royal College 3–2
- 1st Singles: Ashlin de Silva def. Methwan Wijemanne 9–8 (7–3)
- 1st Doubles: Bhishman Balaratnarajah & Naqeeb Hussain def. Karthi Udayanchandran & Kajan Ajesh 9–6
- 2nd Singles: Mayooran Kubherane def. Ranida Ranaweera 9–5
- 2nd Doubles: Ashwin Kalidason & Jayan Sebastian def. Kavish Maddumage & Chenul Wickramasinghe 9–2
- 3rd Singles: Ganuka Fernando def. Ashmal Bilal 9–1
- Final Score: St. Peter’s College 3 – Royal College 2
