Mastery SC, Matale take Fonseka Trophy

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy Sports Correspondent

Mastery Sports Club, Matale, won the inaugural H de S Fonseka Memorial All Island inter-club seven-a-side hockey championship organised by the Old Boys Association of Christ Church College, Matale by defeating Sri Lanka Navy two goals to nil in the finals played at Edward Park, Matale. At half time Mastery SC led 1-0. The finals started on a brisk note with the sailors displaying a lot of aggression to get an early break through but the Mastery defence held on.

It was in the 6th minute of the first half that a long drive by a Mastery defender took play into Navy territory and centre forward C A Welagedera sounded the boards. Mastery SC did not rest on their laurels by trying to preserve their 1-0 lead in the second.

They kept attacking relentless and were rewarded in the 5th of the second half when centre half Ajith Manjula got past a Navy defender and scored with a hard drive.

P T Wasalage and M N Naushad umpired. Ajith Manjula of Mastery SC was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament.

R N N D Ratnayake of Mastery SC was adjudged the Best goal keeper of the tournament. This tournament was organized in memory of former Principal of Christ Church College late M H de S Fonseka who introduced hockey to this school in 1992, and this institution has served the national team well and also produced champion sides in the past.

The winners were awarded the trophy and cash Rs 50,000 and runners up a trophy and cash Rs 25,000.

Semi-Finals

In the semi finals Navy beat Army 1-0 on penalty strokes after the match ended in a scoreless draw.

Upul Dhanushka scored for Navy.

In the second Semi-final Mastery Sports Club edged out Sri Lanka Air Force 1-0 after a scoreless first half C A Welagedera scored the winning goal for Mastery.

Quarter-finals

Navy beat Police 1-0 (Upul Fernando), Sri Lanka Air Force beat Matale SC 1-0 (M D B Dissanayake)

Mastery SC beat Park SC, Matale 1-0 (K A A Dissanayake)

Sri Lanka Army beat CH and FC 3-1, K C Kumara (2) and T N Oramer scored for Army. Anju Hewage scored for CH and FC.

Schools Championship

St Thomas' College Matale won the schools championship by defeating Christ Church College 2-0 in the finals. At half time Thomians led 1-0.

Centre forward T M Hettiarachchi and Left-extreme N Willawarachchi scored a goal each for the Thomians.

I K Wickremeratne and V H Ekanayake umpired.