Matale Thomians sink the other by the sea
St. Thomas' Matale took a 2-0 lead in the second Battle of the Thomians Hockey encounter for the Eric Hulangamuwa Challenge Shield scoring a 1-0 win over S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue yesterday.
Matale Thomians won the inaugural encounter 2-0 last year at Matale. The game got off to a speedy start with good stick-work by both teams as it became a battle of the forwards. Forwards both both schools trying to invade each others D areas with well timed passes and the first sound of the board was heard in the 17th minute of the first half when Matale Thomians' No. 8 H.A.C. A. Silva making the Mt. Lavinia school's custodian helpless with a powerful drive. The Mount Thomians too made moves with their wingers feeding their forwards with good passes but lady luck was not with the school by the sea.
St. Thomas' Matale led 1-0 in the first half. The second half saw a ter- rific battle by the forwards and the wingers of both schools making several efforts to score but were sent back by the rock solid defenders of both sides. While the Matale Thomians trying to maintain the lead they gained in the first half the Mount Thomians made every effort to equalise.
A superb brand of hockey was exhibited maintaining the best traditions of the game and sportsmanship as both schools having a reputation of producing top class hockey players.
T.T.S. Bandara of Matale St. Thomas' was adjudged the Best Player winning the Trophy donated by the Hockey wing of S. Thomas's Mt. Lavinia.
S. Thomas's Mt. Lavinia and Matale were declared joint winners of the Under 15 match played for the Old Thomians Hockey Union Trophy as the game ending in a nil all draw.
Best Players award donated by Indrawansa Herath, a former national player was won by D.J. Peramuna of S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia.