Nelum Kumari - a hat-trick and Navy wins 4-nil over Air Force

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: A hat-trick of goals by Inside-Right Buddhika Nelum Kumari powered Sri Lanka Navy Women 'Stickers' to a comfortable 4-0 win over Sri Lanka Air Force to win the championship title at the Women's Inter-Club Invitation Knock-Out hockey tournament organised by Colombo Hockey Association and the finals played at Malay Grounds. At half-time champions Navy led 2-0.

This was Sri Lanka Navy's second title for the year, having won the League title of the same championship last month.The game started on a furious note with the players more on the offensive. It was Nelum Kumari of the Navy who sounded the board first off a pass from centre forward Chathurika Wijesuriya.

It was not long before Buddhika Nelum Kumari scored again and this time on receiving a short pass from Madushani Jeyanetti.

After the turn around the Navy 'Stickers' were not complacent about 2-0 defeat and did not rest on their laurels. Buddhika Nelum Kumari was seen making several in roads into the opponents territory in the 15th minute she sent a snorter to beat the Air Force custodian all ends up to complete the coveted hat-trick.

During the dying stages of the game, left-inside Madhushani Jayanetti scored Navy's fourth goal to put the issue beyond doubt.

Ajith Jayasena and Ashok Perera umpired.

In the first semi-final Sri Lanka Navy beat Burgher Recreation Club 4-0 and in the second semi-final, Sri Lanka Air Force beat Colombo Colts Ladies 2-1.