Defence Services and Matale - joint champs

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

Defending champions Defences Services and last year's runner-up Matale Hockey Association figured in a thrilling two-all draw to end up as joint champions at the 52nd men's senior hockey nationals organised by the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation and Matale Hockey Association in the finals played at Nandimithra Ekanayake Astro Turf International Hockey Stadium in Matale on Sunday. At half time, Matale led 2-0.

The finals turned out to be a gruelling battle and was played under lights, and a very large crowd was present.

Matale having run up a comfortable lead in the first half but they failed after the turnaround to put up a strong defence around the striking circle which allowed their opponents to score and equalise.

Matale playing fast hockey early in the game, first penetrated the defence of the Defence Services through centre forward Prasanna Abeyratne to go one up. Tharanga Gunawardena displaying excellent skills scored the second goal for Matale to take a 2-0 lead. But in the second half, Defence Services changed their strategy displaying a synthesis of speed and skills and the Matale team wilted up pressure and failed to guard especially the striking circle.

Defence Services first reduced the lead through flanker Duminda Fernando. A few minutes later got the equaliser through flanker Mohommed Naushad. With the score standing at two all, both teams were seen in a pitched battle in the final stages of the game. But the defences of both teams held and a draw was a fitting result.

T. D. Panditharatne and S. Dissanayake umpired.

Wennappuwa Hockey Association clinched the third place by defeating Galle 1-0 in a thriller. Nimantha Fernando scored the winning goal for Wennappuwa.

Earlier in the morning Matale scored a rousing 3-0 win over Wennappuwa after leading 1-0 at the breather. In the second semi final, Defence Services trounced Galle HA 4-0. At half time Defence Services led 2-0.

In the quarter finals Defence Services beat Mercantile Services 7-2, Wennappuwa beat State Services 5-2, Matale beat Colombo 6-2, Galle beat Kegalle 3-1.