Seethadevi girls retain under 15 hockey title for sixth successive year

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

HOCKEY: Seethadevi Girls College, Kandy beat Visakha Vidyalaya by one goal to nil to retain the girls title for the sixth consecutive time while Nalanda College beat last years champions Royal College by four goals to one to take the boys crown in the All Island under 15 Schools Hockey Tournament played at the Astro turf, Reid Avenue, Colombo on Tuesday.

The tournament was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association.

The Nalandians took a close two goals to one lead at the breather. Hashan Sasidu was in good form for the winners scoring two goals and was ably helped by Chinthaka Dilshan (1) and Akalanka Ishan (1). S.J. Ahmed netted Royal's solitary goal.

There was no scoring in the first half of the girls final. The only goal in the match was recorded by Samadara Chandrika and that helped Seethadevians towards victory.

Before cruising into the final Nalanda College had the better of St. Joseph's College, Colombo 2-0 after leading 1-0 at half time. Nalndians were propelled by Chinthaka Dilshan (2). On their way to the final Nalandians also beat Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa on penalty strokes 3-2 after being locked 1-1 at the end of the full time. For the winners Malinga Weerakkodi was the scorer and Amila Nissanka netted a goal for the losers.

Royal College beat Vijaya College, Matale 1-0 with the winning goal coming from the stick of S.J. Ahmed to enter the final. There were no scoring in the first half.

Seethadevi Girls College, Kandy beat their home town rivals Pushpadana Girls College in a closely contested match by two goals to one in the semifinals. K. Pathirana scored two goals for the winners while Lakmini Wijesundara scored the solitary goal for the losers.

In the other semifinal Visakha Vidyalaya beat St. Anthony's Convent, Katugastota on penalty strokes by four goals to three after the scores read nil all at the end of the match.

In the boys consolation final for the third place St. Joseph's College, Colombo posted a narrow 4-3 win over Vijaya College, Matale on penalty strokes after the scores were nil all at the end of the full time. St. Anthony's Convent, Katugastota beat Pushpadana Girls College, Kandy 1-0 to clinch the girls third place title.

The scores read 0-0 at the short whistle.

Quarter finals- (boys) Royal College beat Christ Church College, Matale 3-0, half time 1-0, scorers- S.J. Ahmed, R.M. Ishad and R.T. Mohottiarachchi. Vijaya College beat Isipathana College 1-0, half time 1-0, scorer S.S.M. Udawatte.

St. Joseph's College beat St. Thomas College, Matale by 6-5 by penalty strokes. The scores were deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of the match. Brian Joseph was the scorer for the winners while S.R. Edirisinghe was the scorer for the losers.

(Girls) Seethadevi BV beat Sangamitta BV, Matale 1-0, St. Anthony's Convent beat Musaeus College 2-0, Pushpadana BV beat Sri Rahula College, Katugastota 9-0, Visakha Vidyalaya beat Gothami BV 2-0.

Girls- best player: Maneesha Welaratne (Visakha), best goal keeper: Nirmani de Silva (Seethadevi)

Boys- best sticker: Chinthaka Dilshan (Nalanda), best goal keeper: Charitha Sadun Lekamge (Nalanda).