The month of October will be filled with excitement streaming in from all directions, as many of the institutions around the country will take it to the sporting fields to settle scores with their archrivals.
The rivalry between Ladies’ College and Bishop’s College is a longstanding one that has existed and been passed on for generations. The next meeting between Ladies and Bishop’s will be the Annual Hockey Encounter which is scheduled to be played at the Racecourse Astro Turf on the 3rd of October.
One of the most looked forward to hockey encounters, the Ladies’-Bishop’s hockey encounter takes a primary position in the sporting calendar of many local hockey fans and draws hundreds of followers to the Astro Turf in Racecourse to witness the battle between the two elite institutions.
The tournament consist of two games; the under 17 match and the 1st XI match. The winner of the tournament will be adjudged only if one team wins both the under 17 and the 1st XI games. If the teams end up winning one game apiece, the shield will be shared among the two schools.
The Bishopians have been a competitive force alongside the LC lasses during the 11 year history of the encounter. Last year’s event saw BC winning the under 19 match 1-0 while Ladies’ was able to secure the win in the Under 17 match through a penalty.
The Bishop’s 1st XI will be captained by third year player Umaya Samaranayake, who is a utility back for the team, and she will be assisted by deputy Roshana Tissaaratchy. Alongside Roshana and her skipper Umaya, the 1st XI team of Bishop’s College comprises of ten senior players who have donned the college jersey for more than two years. That experience could possibly give BC the edge when they meet the Ladies’ outfit this weekend.
“We have had a lot of exposure playing in the Western Province tournament and Schools Nationals that was held in Matale” Umaya Samaranayaka pointed out, explaining that her team has been up to the mark in earlier tournaments and that had given them the sufficient exposure to continue to do well. Bishop’s College reached the semi finals of the All Island Hockey Nationals that was held in Matale.
The Under 17 fixture last year did not go in favor of the Bishopians but with a considerable set of freshers making it to the under 17 side, Bishop’s College have compiled themselves a confident team to go for the title. Amasha Saraph will captain the under 17 team and will be aided by Shamindri Perera.
Bishop’s College, coached by Dinesha Perera and J.H. Jayatissa, will put in their best efforts in an attempt to regain the LC-BC Hockey title after last year’s disappointing draw and will make sure that they do all within their capabilities to achieve the objective.
