Ladies take the LC/BC title with two close wins

Ladies College defeated Bishops College 1-0 and also won the under 17 game by the same margin to clinch the Overall Championship at the 11th Ladies-Bishops hockey encounter for the LC/BC trophy played at the Astro Turf on Saturday (3).   Bishops College was not lucky enough to win the encounter in the Under 19 match as they dominated play in most parts of the game.   From the start Bishops invaded the Ladies territory but they lacked the finishing touches to sound the board on two occasions.   The courageous Ladies defenders cleared the ball from their danger areas spoiling any chance of scoring.   The player who stole the show was the goal-keeper of Ladies College Yevinka Ellepola for exhibiting a high standard of goal-keeping.   In the 10th minute of the match Bishops missed a good chance of scoring in front of the goal.   In the 20th minute Ladies custodian made a magnificent save off a good move the Bishops attackers.   From this point Ladies made some good moves and in the 23rd minute a superb pass just out of the ‘D’ by Ishanka Sewwandi made way for Ladies deputy skipper and No. 8 Anushka Gunasekera making a powerful drive that beat the Bishops goal-keeper. At the half-time Ladies College led 1-0.   Both sides played attacking hockey but in the 15th minute of the second half Ladies would have made it 2-0 if not their forwards made use of the opportunity in front of the Bishops goal.   There was no scoring in the second half but both sides made some speedy attempts but failed due to lack of coordination as both sides failing in scoring.   It was an interesting game where supporters of both schools gave every encouragement for their teams.   H.M.C.H. Bandara and W.M.C. Dissanayake controlled the game.   In the Under-17 match played earlier it was the stickers of Ladies College beat Bishops College in the same margin as their seniors 1-0.   The only goal of the match was scored by Heshanthi Munasinha.   Of the matches played up to date Ladies College have won the LC/BC Trophy outright on seven occasions while Bishops College have had their hands on the trophy twice.   On two occasions both schools were declared joint winners.