Royal and Visakha- All Island Under 15 hockey champions

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

Royal College and Visakha Vidyalaya emerged boys and girls champions at the All Island Inter-Schools Under 15 Hockey Championships concluded at Astro Turf, Reid Avenue, Colombo on Sunday.

The tournament was organised by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee on behalf of Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association and sponsored by Singer `Sisil’.

In the final Royal College produced a fine second half rally to knock out the defending champions Nalanda College by four goals to one after being deadlocked 1-1 at breather. Shahid Hussein (2), Malith Abeysundara and Musharaf Uvaiz with one goal each were the scorers for the winners.

It was smooth sailing for Royal stickers to beat St. Thomas College, Matale as they chalked out a thumping 5 goals to 1 victory in the semi finals.

The former were fittingly ahead with five goals to nil at the short whistle. Minidu Alles (2), Susanga Jayawardane (2) and Musharaf Uvaiz (1) were the goal scorers for Royal. In the other semi final fixture Nalanda College beat Dharmaraja College 3-1. Dharmaraja College had the consolation of taking third position beating St. Thomas College, Matale 2-1.

In the girls final Visakha girls recorded an easy 4-0 triumph over President’s BMV, Nawala after taking a 1-0 lead at breather. Skipper Maneesha Welaratne played a key role for the winners with 2 goals while Lakma Piyumi and Yelani Perera scored one goal apiece. Maneesha was the most successful player for Visakha scoring goals in the most of the matches.

In the semi finals Visakha beat fancied Seethadevi BV, Kandy 2-0 after grabbing a 1-0 lead at breather.

Again Maneesha and Yelani Perera scored one goal each.

President’s BMV, Nawala beat Pushpadana Girls, Kandy 1-0. In the girls’ third place match Pushpadana beat Seethadevi 1-0.

Danuja Gunasekara of Royal College was adjudged the most outstanding player while S. Ishara of Nalanda College was named the best defensive player of the boys tournament.

Maneesha Welaratne was fittingly adjudged the best player of the girls tournament with Helmini Imalka of President’s Girls College, Nawala taking the award for the best defensive player.

Both Royal and Visakha teams are being coached by the dedicated Rohan Dissanayake.