Nalanda enter final with shock win over Royal

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Nalanda College moved closer towards retaining the under 17 colombo schools boys hockey title for the second successive year by overcoming the more fancied Royal College in the semi-finals of the Under 17 Colombo Schools Hockey Tournament worked off at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue, Colombo on Monday.

Ananda College was the other team who reached the final after an easy win over St. Benedict's College, Kotahena. This event is organised by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee.

Defending champions Nalanda College beat Royal College by 1 goal to nil making their match winning goal in the first half. Ishara Dhanushka (1) was the lone warrior for the winning team.

It was smooth sailing for Ananda College as they chalked out a thumping 5 goals to nil victory over St. Benedict's College in the other semi final after taking a good 2 goals to nil lead at half time. For Ananda College Hasitha Lakruwan best scored with three goals who was ably helped by Kushan Tennakoon netting 2 goals.

Meanwhile, the under 17 colombo schools girls hockey tournament's semi final fixtures also played simultaneously in parallel to the above event. The girls under 17 tournament is being conducted for the first time by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee.

Visakha Vidyalaya outplayed Musaeus College by 2 goals to nil after grabbing 1-0 lead at breather. Skipper Maneesha Welaratne and Lakma Wijeratne with 1 goal apiece were the scorers for the winners.

Yasodhara Girls College, Colombo defeated President's Girls' School, Nawala convincingly by 4 goals to nil after being ahead with 2 goals to nil at the short whistle.

Prarthana Upeksha, Prarthana Hansani, Ishanka Sewwandi and Visakha Madushani with 1 goal each were the scorers for Yasodhara BV.

Junior tourneys

The under 11/ 13 and 19 colombo schools hockey tournaments conducted by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee are scheduled to be held in Colombo next month. Meanwhile, the Under 17 All Island Hockey Tournament will be conducted from September 24 to 27 in Matale conducted by the Matale Schools Hockey Committee on behalf of Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association.