It was a memorable win for STC after a decade in the blues
Thomians were in command over Royal - Pic by Ranjith Perera
After a decade long stay at Reid Avenue the Orville Abeyanaike Memorial Trophy made its way to Mt. Lavinia yesterday evening when S. Thomas’ College defeated Royal College 3-1 in their 18th traditional hockey encounter at the Astro Hockey Turf, Colombo 7.
In a game dominated by speedy set of forwards of both schools, who saw a fast run and pass game. Thomians proceeded to steer the momentum in the first half. Working the ball well amongst the forwards they penetrated the opponents’ ‘D’ on countless occasions. It was S. Thomas’ skipper Thilina Dela who was the ‘key man on offense’ creating opportunities for the forwards to take shots at the goal.
Dela having a hand in almost every move for the victorious Thomians was adjudged the Best Player of the match and take the L.A.N. Wickremasinghe Trophy.
The day’s first goal was scored by Thomian Right Extrteme, No. 2 Dion Dias in the 19th minute of play in the first half. Royal too made invasions to the Thomian goal area but the gusty efforts by the Thomian back division held on to the waves of the Colombo school’s attack.
The first half ended with S. Thomas’ leading 1-0.
Giving no chances for the Royalists to settle down the lads from the school by the sea went on rampage to score two goals in quick succession. In the second minute after resumption the speedy left extreme Ashwin Ellepola sounded the board and in the third minute receiving a well positioned pass from Dion Dias, Ellepola went on to score his second goal.
Royalists adopting to short pass and play game was rewarded in the last stages of the game with a goal by Sachithra Malshan off a short corner with a full blooded drive. The long whistle was blown with the Thomians in front with a 3-1 win and be the proud owners of the Abeyanaike Trophy which they last won in 2006.
H.M.C.H. Bandara and W.M.C. Dissanayake controlled the game.
The Under 15 clash was won by the young Royalists 2-0 after leading 1-0 in the first half. Hejitha Almeida and Siyath Rajakarunarathna scoring in the seventh and thirty first minutes respectively. Royal led 1-0 in the first half.
In the Old Boys’ clash for the Nihal Nilaweera Trophy Old Royalists emerged winners with three goals to nil victory. Aloka Amarasiri, Thanveer Ahmed and Gautham Kiripakaran were the goal scorers for the winners.