Nalanda, Vijaya and Seetha Devi bag major honours
Nalanda College Colombo, Vijaya College Matale and Seetha Devi Girls School Kandy bagged major honours at the All-Island Schools Under-17 Boys and Girls Hockey Tournament 2015 held at the Edward Park Hockey ground in Matale.
Nalanda and Vijaya were declared boys joint champions when Vijaya held Nalanda to a goalless draw at full time in a closely contested final.
On the way to the final, Vijaya beat St. Thomas’ Matale 4-3 on penalties while Nalanda overcome Joseph Vas Wenanppuwa 3-2 on penalties in their respective semi-finals. The boys consolation final was won by Joseph Vas College who beat St. Thomas’ Matale 3-2 on penalties.
Defending Champions, Seetha Devi GS Kandy excelled to return the title for the second consecutive year as they beat fancied Janadhipathi Balika Nawala by 2-0 in the final at half time Seetha Devi led 1-0 with left extreme Taraki Paranagama scoring the first goal. The second session saw centre half Charuka Nishadi sounding the boards to give her side 2-0 win and the title. Seetha Devi beat Musaeus Colombo 1-0 and Janadhipathi Balika outplayed Sri Sumangala Balika Panadura 1-0 in the semifinals. Musaeus beat Sri Sumangala Balika Panadura 1-0 in the loser’s final where center half Tulani Ranatunga scored the winning goal.
The four-day tournament conducted by SLSHA together with Matale Schols Hockey Committee saw 32 boys teams and 22 girls teams from Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Gampaha, Kegalle, Galle, Badulla, Wennappuwa and Kalutara educational regions taking part.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
(Vijaya Matale)
Navinda Randika
Sudara Sachintha (Nalanda – Colombo)
Taraki Paranagama (Seetha Devi Kandy)
Hiruni Navodya (Janadhipathi Balika)
Joseph Vas beat Ananda Colombo 4-0, Nalanda beat Sri Sumangala Kandy 1-0, St. Thomas’ Matale beat Dharmaraja Kandy 1-0, Vijaya beat St. Aloysius Galle 3-2 on penalties.
Seethe Devi Kandy beat Sirimavo Bandaranayaka BMV Colombo 2-0, Musaeus beat Christ Church Matale 3-1 on penalties, Sri Sumangala Balika Panadura beat St. Anthony’s Girls Kandy 1-0, Janadhipathi Balika beat Viharamahadevi Badulla 1-0.