Hatton National Bank sweep boards in Mercantile hockey
HNB emerged 'A' Division winners of the Mercantile Hockey Knockout Tournament 2020
HNB ‘A’ beat Sampath Bank to emerge winners in the Mercantile Hockey Knockout Tournament at the Astroturf in Torrington last weekend.
HNB and Sampath Bank, studded with ex-Sri Lanka players, displayed a fantastic style of play, witnessed by a large number of spectators, which included VIPs from the two banks and the Mercantile Hockey Association.
Sampath Bank opened scoring in the 12th minute through a penalty strike for an infringement made by HNB full back. Ex-Sri Lanka Under-21 player Buwenaka Parahitiyawa converted it successfully. At halftime Sampath Bank lead 1-0.
In the second half both teams played aggressively, creating frequent chances to the score. The pendulum swung both ways. In the 41st minute HNB forward ex-Sri Lanka player Damith Bandara equalised through a penalty strike, followed by a field goal by ex-Sri Lanka player Upul Dhanushka.
Sampath Bank bounced back in the 44th minute to equalise through a field goal through Chinthaka Dilshan. Damith Bandara pierced the strong Sampath Bank defence, displaying some excellent stick-work to score in the 49th minute, to give HNB the lead. However two quick goals by Sampath Bank forward and ex-Sri Lanka player Diluka Weerasuriya, changed the course of the game.
When Sampath Bank was leading 4-3 in the dying stages, R. Wickremasinghe sounded the board to give HNB the much needed breakthrough, as scores were levelled 4-all at fulltime. In a dramatic turnaround, HNB secured a thrilling win through penalty strokes as they beat Sampath Bank 7-6 and emerge winners. Umpires N. Paranitharan and Abeetha Fernando controlled the game.
In the ‘B’ Division final HSBC stunned Hayleys Group 3-2 to emerge winners. For HSBC Imesh Wimalasiri, Mark Fernando and Razvi Sadeff scored a goal each while for Hayleys Group Bodika Dias sounded the board twice.
Commercial Bank ‘A’ beat Allianz Insurance 6-1 to secure the third place in the ‘A’ Division while in the ‘B’ Division Seylan Bank beat Commercial Bank 3-2 to win the third place playoff.