The hockey championship of the Western Province National School Games 2025 concluded last weekend at the Royal College Hockey Grounds. After some scintillating hockey action, St Joseph’s College, Maradana, and Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala, were crowned champions.
Boy’s Segment
The winners of the boys’ event started the tournament with a thumping victory over Harischandra College, Negombo, by scoring six unanswered goals. In the quarterfinals they met St Benedict College, Kotahena, and managed to pull out a handsome 3 – 0 victory. There was a thrilling fight in the semifinal one as Joes took on the Thomians from Mount Lavinia. The game went down to the wire, and it was even-steven at the full-time whistle. But the determined Joes never looked back and managed to steal a 5 – 4 victory at the penalty shoot-out.
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In the second semifinal, Royal College, Colombo 07, outclassed the Prince of Wales College – Moratuwa with a score of 4 – 1 to secure their place in the final.
In the bronze final, spirited Prince of Wales College edged out the tournament favourites from St Thomas’ College – Mount Lavinia with a 2 – 1 goal margin.
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The grand finale between the Joes and Royalists was a high-octane game, and both of the sides battled with high-speed movements and forceful attacks. But the rock-solid defence displayed by the teams ultimately won the battle, as the game ended without any score. In the nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, the lads from St Joseph College were smart enough to secure a thrilling win at the high-stake final. Though the Joes were crowned as the champions, the fighting spirit displayed by the Royalists should be definitely praised.
Boys Segment Results
Semi Finals 1: St Joseph’s College – Maradana vs St Thomas’ College – Mount Lavinia
2 : 2 Full Time
5 : 4 Penalty Strokes
St Joseph’s College – Maradana Won
Semi Finals 2: Royal College – Colombo vs Prince of Wales College – Moratuwa
4 : 1 Full Time
Royal College – Colombo Won
3rd Place: St Thomas’ College – Mount Lavinia vs Prince of Wales College – Moratuwa
1 : 2 Full Time
Prince of Wales College – Moratuwa Won
Finals
St Joseph’s College – Maradana vs Royal College – Colombo
0 : 0 Full Time
4 : 3 Penalty Strokes
St Joseph’s College – Maradana Won
Victorious St. Joseph’s College Hockey Team
Boy’s runners-up – Royal College
Boy’s 2nd runners-up – Prince of Wales College
Girl’s Segment Results
The semifinals of the girls’ segment ended in the same style, as Musaeus College, Colombo, and Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala, secured their places in the final by beating Panadura Balika Vidyalaya and Ladies College, Colombo, respectively.
In the third-place match, Panadura Balika Vidyalaya scored an early goal over Ladies College, Colombo, and they resisted with that lead to claim the bronze medal.
There was a close tussle in the finals as both sides fought hard for supremacy. There was nothing to separate the sides at the full-time whistle; hence, the game was dragged to a penalty shootout. There the girls from Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya came up with a top performance to seal a 2-0 victory against the formidable Musaeus outfit.
Semi Finals 1
Panadura Balika Vidyalaya – Panadura vs Musaeus College – Colombo
0 : 1 Full Time
Musaeus College – Won
Semi Finals 2
Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya – Nawala vs Ladies College – Colombo
1 : 0 Full Time
Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya – Won
3rd Place
Panadura Balika Vidyalaya – Panadura vs Ladies College – Colombo
1 : 0 Full Time
Panadura Balika Vidyalaya – Panadura Won
Finals Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya – Nawala vs Musaeus College – Colombo
1 : 1 Full Time
2 : 0 Penalty Strokes
Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya – Nawala Won
Victorious Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya Hockey Team
Girl’s runners-up – Musaeus College
Girl’s 2nd runners-up – Prince of Wales College
