Ananda-Matale Thomians clash in under-17 hockey final

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

HOCKEY: St. Thomas College Matale and Ananda College qualified to meet in the final of the under 17 all island inter school hockey tournament for boys at the Astro turf, Reid Avenue, Colombo.

The tournament is being conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association and sponsored by the Singer ‘Sisil’. St. Thomas College entered the final when they posted a two goals to one goal win over their home town rivals Vijaya College in the first semi-final played yesterday.

The scores were deadlocked at one all at half time. M.B. Marapana (1) and M.B. Weerakkody (1) were the goal scorers for the winners while G.P.K. Bokaragoda (1) was the scorer for Vijaya College. Geemal Dias by scoring two goals was the hero for Ananda College’s two goals to one victory over Royal College to secure their place in the final. The scores read one all at the breather. For Royal College Laksiri Jayaratne scored one goal.

Before reaching semifinals Vijaya College downed their neighbouring Christ Church College by a close margin of five goals to four by penalty strokes which went to the full distance after being held to a one all draw at the end of the regular time. Christ Church College were leading one goal to nil at the end of the half time but Vijaya College scored their first goal through G.T.K. Bokaragoda at the second half to level the tally at one all.

A.K.D. Apa (1) was the scorer for Christ Church College.

St. Thomas College, Matale booked their place in the semi final when they beat Sri Sumangala College, Kandy by three goals to nil. At the half time St. Thomas College lead the proceedings by one goal to nil. T.M.B. Weerakkody with two goals and S.M. Herath with one goal were the scorers for Thomians.

Royal College defeated Trinity College by four goals to two in another quarter final. The scores were deadlocked at one all at the half time. C. Wijesinghe with one, J.C. Wijeratne with two and L. Jayaratne with one goal were the scorers for Royal College while J.I. Witharanage with two goals was the only scorer for Trinity College.

In the other quarter final Ananda College outplayed St. Benedict’s College by five goals to nil after taking a two goals to nil lead at the breather. Hasitha Lakruwan and Chamikara Nilaweera with two goals apiece and Kasun Nagahawatte (1) were the scorers for Ananda College.