Matale Golds take Boys Hockey title

By L.D. Chandrasiri

The reigning champions Matale Golds led by Mudith Marapana of St. Thomas' College Matale retained the boy's title as they beat Colombo Blues led by Malith Pitigala of Ananda College, Colombo by 2-0 in the boy's final of the 41st Schools Hockey Nationals 2008 concluded recently at the Nandimitra Ekanayake Astro Turf - Matale.

Both teams failed to score during the first session, after the breather Matale Golds dominated the proceedings and midway in the second session the skipper Mudith Marapana put Matale Golds one up and ten minutes later Akila Ekanayake made in 2-0
Bernard Satheesh Kumar and N. Paraseetharan controlled the boy's final.

In the decider for the third place Colombo Reds led by Tyronne Dharmalingam of St. Benedict's College, Kotahena beat Matale Maroons 4-0. Ashan Alles scored two goals with Amila and Malan netting a goal each for the winners.

Mudith Marapana was adjudged the best player of the boy's segment of the tournament while Nuwan Prematilake (Matale Golds) was named the best goal keeper. This tournament organized and conducted by the SLSHA together with Matale Schools Hockey Committee and sponsored by 'Sisil' the cooling people attracted eight boys teams 15 girl's teams from Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Gampaha and Matara educational regions.