Cambrians the surprise package of the tournament so far
Reid Avenue was a hive activity when the 14th Singer Blue and Gold Hockey Sevens got underway, yesterday. Most of the fancied teams qualified to the next stage. Trinity however disappointed, losing one match and drawing two. The surprise packet was Prince Wales, a school that took to the game recently. The fact that they topped their group, which has teams like St. Benedict’s, Trinity and Zahira, Matale – all with good hockey pedigree, speaks volumes for their improvement.
The skipper of the Joseph Vaz side, A. Fernando is obviously a player with a future. He was the fulcrum of their attacks and was quick to fall back in defence too. Vijaya Matale was another side that was worth watching. They had speed, trapped the ball well and played refreshing hockey.
Royal ‘Blues’, reputedly their second best team, upstaged the others by leading their group. The ‘Golds’ were undone by a spirited Mahinda team.
Mahinda and D.S. Senanayake showed that they are serious contenders by coming out on top in their respective groups.
Not surprisingly, St. Thomas’ Matale led their group, but, they had a slightly easy run. Among the girls, Vishaka was quite efficient in disposing of their nearest challengers, Pushpadana. They won by a solitary goal, but had they not panicked inside the ‘D’, they could have had another two goals at least. The following schools were the leaders and runners-up in their groups: (Boys) A. Nalanda, St. Peter’s, B. D.S. Senanayake, St. Sylvester’s. C. Prince of Wales, St. Benedict’s, D. Zahira (Colombo), Dharmaraja, E. St. Thomas’, Matale, Maris Stella, F. Royal ‘Blues’, St. Thomas’ Matara.
(Girls) P. Sumangala, Seethadevi, Q. Christ Church, Girls High School, R. Janadhipathi (Nawala), Sirimavo Bandaranaike, S. Musaeus, Gothami (Colombo), St. Anthony’s Convent, Ladies U. Visakha, Pushpadana, V. Sangamitta (Matale), Panadura Balika, W. Yasodhara, Bishops. Royal has won the championship thrice and Vijaya Matale, Joseph Vaz twice while Vidyartha, Kingswood, Trinity, Ananda, Wesley and Nalanda (2015) have won one each. The girl’s segment had been dominated by two Kandy Schools – Seethadevi Pushpadana. Vijaya in the inaugural year (2004), Janadhipathi Balika (2013) were the only ones to break the sequence.
Royal Colombo stickers in action
Action between Ananda and St. Thomas' - Pix by Amila Gamage