HNB in runaway 7-1 win over Singer

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Hatton National Bank `A' beat Singer by a thumping margin of seven goals to one in an `A' division fixture of the ongoing Mercantile League Hockey Tournament played at Astro Turf, Reid Avenue, Colombo. The winners ran a huge four goals to nil lead at half time.

C. Lewke netted three goals for the winners who was able helped by Thilina Perera, Saman Vandalan, Mohomed Gazali and Charith Senanayake scoring one goal each. The lone goal for Singer came from M. Suresh Kumar in the second half in 48th minute.

In a `C' division match Arpico held to a nil all draw against Dialog Telekom. In an early matches Commercial Bank beat Seylan Bank by four goals to one after leading one goal to nil at breather. Anju Hewage scored two goals with Pisala Herath and Pradeep Heenkenda contributed one goal apiece.

In another match Commercial Bank beat Singer comprehensively by six goals to nil. The winners were well ahead with 6-0 at the short whistle. Scorers- Anju Hewage (3), Pradeep Heenkenda (1), Malan de Alwis (1), Sumith Jayasena (1).

Sampath Bank will be up against Seylan Bank in an `A' division match at Astro Turf on Thursday while Hatton National Bank `B' will take on Singer on the following day. Commercial Bank will meet HNB `A' at Oval on February 18.

Meanwhile, AWD Group will face a tough task when they meet Airport and Aviation in the final of the `D' division Mercantile League Tournament on February 22 at Malay grounds.

The `B' division knock out semi finals have been scheduled to be worked off on February 27 at Astro turf. Browns Group and HSBC are the teams that have qualified for the semi finals so far, while `C' division konock out semi finals will be played on February 25 and 29 at Malay Grounds with the final scheduled to be played on March 7 at the same venue.