Kandy Whites, Kingswood SC hockey champions

S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr.

Kandy Whites (Women) and Kingswood Sports Club (Men’s) became champions at the inaugural Men and Women seven-a-side hockey championship organized by the University of Peradeniya and worked off at Peradeniya.

In the men’s final Kingswood Sports Club scored a hard fought 2-1 win over Peradeniya Sports Club after leading 1-0 at the breather.

The champion Kingswood sports club obtained both their goals through M. Mulaffer. Peradeniya SC obtained their solitary goal through S. Tharindu.

Indika Jayawardena and Duminda Fernando umpired. In the semi finals, Peradeniya Sports Club beat Kingswood Old Boys 2-1 and Kingswood Sports Club beat Peradeniya University 2-0.

A total of 12 teams participated in the tournament for men.

In the competition for women Kandy Whites beat Essence Sports Club, Kandy 2-0 in a controversial final which had to be abandoned after 4 minutes of play.

The women’s final got under way around 5.55 p.m. and the light conditions were poor. The skipper of the Essence SC team Achini Liyanage protested to the umpires about the poor light conditions. But Kandy Whites captain Chathurika Wijesuriya said that the match could be played.

Since there was a deadlock with one team refusing to play while the other waiting to play, the two umpires S. N. Jayasinghe and Mangala Karunaratne decided to start the match.

In the 2nd minute of play Kandy Whites scored through Chathurika Wijesuriya. The Essence team once again protested about the light conditions. But the umpires decided that the match could be continued.

In the 4th minute Kandy Whites scored again through Chathurika and with the match going the other way, Essence sticken walked out in protest against the light. The two umpires blew “No side” and awarded the match to Kandy Whites.

There was little doubt that Kandy Whites were clear winners scoring two goals despite the light conditions.

In the semi final, Essence SC Kandy beat Peradeniya University 1-0. Achini Liyanage sounded the boards. In the second semi final Kandy Whites beat Pushpadana Sports Club 2-0. Chathurika Wijesuriya and Madhushani Jayanetti scored for the winners.

Director of Sports, University of Peradeniya Ms Arosha Perera was the Chief Guest.