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Lovers' Quarrel History

A legacy told through cricket.

In Galle, the Mahinda-Richmond Cricket Encounter, lovingly known as the Lovers' Quarrel, has brought generations together since 1905. It is not just a big match. It is memory, pride, friendship, and school spirit carried from one year to the next.

Founded

1905

It began at the Galle Esplanade and grew into one of the best-loved matches in school cricket.

Legacy

120+

More than a century of rivalry, respect, and shared memories ties the two colleges together.

Matches

115

Each match has added its own heroes, turning points, and stories remembered on both sides.

New Era

2025

The match moved into a three-day format and gave both teams more time to shape the story.

Chapter 01

Where it all began

The Lovers' Quarrel began in 1905 as a schoolboy match at the Galle Esplanade. It grew through the vision of Sir Frank Lee Woodward of Mahinda College and Rev. James Horne Darrel of Richmond College, who believed cricket could build character, friendship, and school pride.

Richmond claimed the first few wins, and Mahinda soon answered in return. Mahinda's first victory in 1908 helped shape the balance that would make this rivalry special for generations to come.

Origin

Galle Esplanade

Founders

Woodward & Darrel

Early turning point

Mahinda's first win in 1908

Chapter 02

A rivalry built on both pride and respect

Across 115 matches, the Mahinda-Richmond big match has given us memorable wins, hard-fought draws, and unforgettable performances. What makes it lasting is not only the cricket, but the pride, respect, and emotion both schools bring to it every year.

One of the most memorable results came in 2008, when Mahinda ended a long run of draws with a 10-wicket victory. It remains one of the standout results in the modern history of the match.

Richmond later enjoyed strong seasons too, including wins in 2014 and 2015, reminding everyone that this match has always belonged to both sides. That shared history carried into 2025, when the encounter moved into its new three-day era.

Chapter 03

Names every fan remembers

The Lovers' Quarrel has always brought out special players, with both Mahinda and Richmond leaving their mark on the story of this match.

Mahinda | 1953

Somasiri Ambawatte

Produced one of the greatest all-round displays in the history of the match, taking all ten wickets in an innings and scoring a century as well.

Mahinda | 1972

P. H. K. H. Ranasinghe

Made the highest individual score in the match with 162 runs, a knock that still stands tall in Lovers' Quarrel history.

Richmond milestones

Prasad Kariyawasam & Jayantha Dias

Richmond has had its own batting memories too, including Prasad Kariyawasam's unbeaten 156 in 1972 and Jayantha Dias' back-to-back centuries in 1968 and 1969.

Modern pace | 2024

Malsha Tharupathi

Reached a century in just 70 balls, giving the match one more modern record to celebrate.

Chapter 04

A record written in centuries

From Sirisena Hettige's 155 in 1939 to Dinura Kalupahana's 124 in 2024, this match has never been short of fine batting. Across the years, both schools have produced innings and players that continue to live on in Lovers' Quarrel history.

These are not just numbers in a record book. They are innings supporters remember, retell, and carry forward as part of the match's living history.