S. Thomas’ retain O.A. Abeynaike Memorial Challenge Trophy

In the 47th minute, as the sun was setting on the 19th Annual Hockey fixture for the Orville Abeynaike Memorial Challenge Trophy between S. Thomas’ and Royal Colleges played at the Astro turf, Thomian centre half and Vice Captain Boodi Mathura found a gap in the Royal defence and passed to centre forward Savindu Wanigasooriya who was well positioned to get his stick onto the ball and give S.thomas’a one nil win and take the trophy to Mt. Lavinia for another year.

There was no scoring in the first session of play with the full backs of both teams putting up strong defenses.

S. Thomas’ won the fixture for the second consecutive year and now the tally stands at nine wins for the Thomians, six for the Royalists and four draws.

Last year the Thomians won the trophy 3-0 and regained it after a lapse of 10 years.

Dewmal Palapathwala, the Thomian skipper was adjudged the player of the match and was awarded the L.n.a.wickremasinghe Memorial Challenge Trophy, while Uvin Gunawardena who toured Bangladesh with the schools national team also played an inspiring game.

For the Royalists, captain Uchitha Wasudeva who also toured Bangladesh, vice captain Induwara Bimsara, Savindu Ranasinghe and their custodian Santhush Silva were outstanding players.

The Orville Abeynaike Trophy was donated by the family of the late Abeynaike, an old Thomian and had the distinction of playing cricket for S. Thomas’ in 1940 and 1941. He joined the staff in 1947 and served his alma mater faithfully until 1981. He was also the Sub Warden of S. Thomas’ College as well as the coach and master-incharge of cricket and hockey which spanned almost two decades and produced some of the most outstanding sportsmen in that era.

The Chief Guest for the match was former Old Thomian hockey captain Dr. Kapila Waidyaratne, a President’s Counsel and was the former Defense Secretary. He also represented the school in rugby and cadetting.

The victory was possible due to the untiring efforts of the coaches B.l.v.perera and H.m.c.bandara.

The match was umpired by M. Naushad, I. Akalanka and A.C. Fernando.