Joseph Vas, Christ Church U-15 boys hockey joint champs

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen – Kandy Sports Corr.

Joseph Vax College, Vennappuwa and Christ Church College, Matale figured in a thrilling scoreless draw to end up as joint champions at the all island schools under-15 boys hockey championship organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association and played at the Sir Albert Peiris Stadium in Nattandiya.

The finals turned out to be a gruelling battle in which no quarter was asked nor given. At the end of the regulation time there was no scoring and five minutes of extra time each way could not produce the result and the two teams were declared joint champions.

This hockey tournament was organised for the first time in the Wennappuwa area and Joseph Vas College did their home town supporters proud by finishing as a joint champion.

P.N. Gramer and D.N. Dissanayake umpired.

Royal College won the consolation finals by defeating Dharmaraja College, Kandy 5-0 to clinch the third place.

In the semi-finals Christ Church College, Matale beat Royal College 1-0 and Joseph Vas College beat Dharmaraja College 4-2.

A total of 33 teams participated in this championship and the first round matches were played on a league basis. The pre-quarter final, quarter finals and the semi-finals were played on a knock out basis.

Deputy Inspector General of Police – Puttalam Division and President of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation Sumith Edirisinghe was the Chief Guest.