Defence Services rout Kegalle HA

By Leslie FERNANDO

HOCKEY: The defending champions Defence Services, last year’s runner-up Matale Hockey Association, State Services and Colombo Hockey Association advanced to the semi-finals of the 51st Senior National Hockey Championships after the quarter-final matches played at Police Park yesterday.

The semi-final line up for today - Defence Services vs Colombo HA, State Services vs Matale HA starting at 8 a.m. The finals will be played at 4.15 p.m.

Defence Services started off on a furious pace and went on a goal scoring spree to trounce Kegalle Hockey Association by 8 goals to nil in the first quarter final match. The forwards attacked in a deadly manner and the Kegalle HA defence had no answer to foil their methodical moves. The winners led 2-0 in the first half with M. M. Mulafer and K. Ganegoda sounding the board.

After the interval Defence Services stickers who played a well controlled game continued to attack vehemently with fine stick work and add six more goals through K. Ganegoda (2), P. N. Cramer, C. Keerthikumara, S. D. Abeyratne, D. Weerasuriya and M. M. Mulafer.

In the second match State Services who were down one goal to nil pulled off a close 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka Schools.

Sri Lanka Schools scored first just before the breather through Chamikara Nilaweera. State Services equalled off N. N. de Alwis and P. N. P. Perera sealed victory for State Services during the closing stages of the game.

Matale HA showed superior team effort to register a comfortable 5 goals to 3 win against Galle HA after leading 2-1 in the third match.

For Matale HA, C. K. Gunapala with brilliant stick work scored 3 goals, D. R. B. Dissanayake, M. B. Marapana were the other goal getters. For Galle HA S. B. Priyalanka, L. V. Suriarachchi and N. S. Athureliya scored a goal each.

Colombo HA edged out Mercantile HA in the other quarter final by 2 goals to 1 after the winners led 1-0 at half time.

A. G. A. Fernando and W. E. Rajamohan scored for Colombo HA and Charitha Senanayake scored for Mercantile HA.