Sri Lanka Schools Hockey powerhouse, St Thomas’ College, Matale, managed to clinch the Saints Schools Hockey 9’s Tournament after intense and hard-fought battles against their rivals. The tournament unfolded at the St Sylvester’s College Ground (Gravel Court) recently.
The tournament was organised by the Old Boys Association of St Sylvester’s College and the Old Sylvester’s Sports Club for the 85th anniversary of their school. The Hockey teams representing the following schools locked their horns against each other in the eye-catching event.
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St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy (Blue and Maroon teams); St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota; S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia; St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa; St. Thomas’ College, Matale; St. John’s College, Jaffna; St. Aloysius’ College, Galle; St. Thomas’ College, Matara; S. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa; St Benedict’s College, Colombo; St Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya; and St Joseph’s College, Colombo.
The teams were drawn into four groups, and St Sylvester’s College Blues, St Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, St Thomas’ College, Matale, and St Joseph’s College, Colombo, secured their places in the Semi Finals.
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The finalist, St Joseph Vaz College, beat St Aloysius’ College, Galle (02 – 01), and St Sylvester’s College Maroons (02 – 00) in the preliminary stage. The other finalists, St. Thomas’ College, Matale (05 – 00), thumped St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, and St. Thomas’ College, Matara (08 – 00).
In the first Semi Final, St Thomas’ College, Matale, had a tight contest with the Colombo hockey powerhouse, St Joseph’s College. Both sides failed to score until the long whistle, and the game headed to a penalty shoot-out. There, the Thomians from Matale emerged victorious with a 03 – 01 goal margin.
Then, St Joseph Vaz College battled against St Sylvester’s College Blues, and the Vazians cruised into the Final with flying colours amid the resistance of the hosts.
In an intense and hard-fought battle in the Final, St Joseph Vaz College battled against fancied St Thomas’ College, Matale, by seeking for a breakthrough victory. Though there were some eye-catching passes, fierce attacks and solid blocks in the heated Final, players were never able to score during the full quota of time. However, the lads from Matale found their rhythm back in the extra time and scored back-to-back goals. The Thomians’ journey toward this unforgettable and challenging victory was a result of unmatched skill, determination and teamwork, which was stuffed with nail-biting moments and incredible displays of resilience.
In the Bronze Final, St Joseph’s College, Colombo, and the hosts, St Sylvester’s College Blues, fought in a close tussle to post a consolation victory for their fine effort in the tournament. After a goalless game, St Joseph’s College clinched 3rd place in the penalty stroke play with a 03 – 01 margin.
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The striking player Nisalitha Rathnayake of St Thomas’ College Matale once again proved his class by netting a few crucial goals in addition to the goal assists and emerged as the Player of the Tournament. Further, the solid defensive wall of St Joseph Vaz College, team Captain Gajitha Abeywardhane, was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the Saints Hockey 9’s Tournament.
Nisalitha Rathnayake of St Thomas’ College Matale (Best Player) & Gajitha Abeywardhane (Best Goalkeeper)
