Matale Thomians-Under 19 hockey champions

S M Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Correspondent

The all island schools boys under 19 championship title once again returned to the hockey town of Matale when St Thomas College, Matale beat St Sylvesters College 1-0 in the finals of the tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association and played at Jaffna College grounds, Jaffna Saturday. At half time there as no scoring.

The finals turned out to be a gruelling battle with both teams dishing out excellent hockey.

After a blank first half the game Meandered into the second half. But the all important scoring which would decide the finals was not there.

With the game drifting into the finals minute there was a snap movement and centre forward and prolific goal scorer N K Willawara made a last ditch attempt and succeeded in taking play into the semi circle and sounded the boards with a red hot drive much to the jubilations of his team mates.

Nadarajah Paraneetharam and Ajith Mendis umpired.

Last year this championship was won by Vijaya College, Matale.

In the semi-finals St Sylvesters College beat Dharmaraja College 2-1 and St Thomas College, Matale beat Wesley College 2-0.

Wesley College won the consultation trophy beating Dharmaraja College 2-0.