Royal in hard fought win over S. Thomas’

The inaugural Royal-Thomian Under- 15 hockey encounter took place at the Astro Turf, Torrington Square, Colombo 7 last weekend witnessed by a large gathering of spectators. Royal scored a hard fought 2-0 win to walk away as proud winners in their maiden effort.

In a game where high traditions of the game was maintained to the best and exhibited good sportsmanship by this budding hockey players. The game was an exhibition match more than a battle.

These young stickers of both schools showed their prowess with fine stick work and a fine run and pass game. The game took off on a slow note as players from both sides took some time to settle down. Once it gained momentum the game became interesting as forwards of both side making desperate efforts to breakthrough the opponents defence to sound the board.

Royal had a slight edge over their opponents as they were little faster than the Thomians and their extremes made some good moves to feed the forwards. Half way in the first half Royal’s right extreme Dinal Dhamsilu broke the shackles with a powerful drive beating the Thomian custodian to score the first goal of the match. Royal led 1-0 in the first half.

Dhamsilu carried on from where he left in the first half and sounded the board for the second time in the second half which gave the Colombo 7 school a 2-0 win.

Dinal Dhamsilu was adjudged the Best Player of the Match for his fine brand of hockey which caught the eye of everyone who was present at the stadium. – Lakshman Ranasinghe; Pix by Ranjith Perera