39th Hockey Junior Nationals:

Matale District wins championship

Upananda JAYASUNDERA- Kandy Sports Special Corr

Matale District emerged champions by defeating Colombo District (1-0) in the final of the 39th Junior Hockey Nationals concluded at the Asgiriya Cricket Stadium yesterday. The tournament was conducted by the Kandy District Hockey Association.

Matale scored the winning goal at extra time when D. Woodward netted the goal. Two brothers H. M. C. and A. H. Bandara umpired. The third place was won by Sri Lanka Schools (Gold), beating Defence Services on penalty strokes (5-4) M. J. M. Naushad and R. Hemantha umpired.

Chief Guest Ajith Devadas and Guest of Honour Mahinda Munasinghe who is the President of the St. Sylvester’s Masters Club, Kandy were introduced to the teams by R. Maheswaran, the President of the Kandy District Hockey Association before the commencement of the final.

Colombo District beat Defence Services on penalty strokes (3-1) in the first semi-final while Matale District beat Sri Lanka Schools (Gold) by three goals to nil in the other semi-final and entered the final. Twelve teams participated in this three-day tourney and the teams were Kandy, Matale, Kegalle, Wennappuwa, Colombo, Sri Lanka Schools (Gold), Sri Lanka Schools (Maroons), Gampaha, Kalutara, Mercantile, Defence Services and Uva.