St. Anthony’s Convent overcome favourites Seethadevi

St. Thomas’ College, Matale and Vijaya College Matale were named joint champions in the boys’ category while St. Anthony’s Convent, Kandy won the girls’ title at the Central Province Hockey Championship held at the Peradeniya University grounds on the 8th, 9th and 10th of June.

12 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams took part in this tournament, organized by the Central Province Education Office.

The girls’ final was between St. Anthony’s Convent and hockey power-house Seethadevi Girls’ College Kandy. This looked like it would be a repeat of the Kandy District finals but this time the St. Anthony’s girls turned the tables.

The girls played some exciting hockey throughout the game, putting on a show for the spectators. However, at the end of 60 minutes of play, the match remained goalless and the umpires decided to send the game into penalties, instead of playing extra time.

Photo Album – Central Province U19 Hockey Tournament

The Seethadevi Captain Charuka Nishadhi won the toss and chose to take the first stroke, but unfortunately she sent the ball over the post. The St. Anthony’s Captain Sandunika Dewagiri took the next shot and she made no mistake, scoring the winning stroke for her team.

St. Anthony’s Convent were thus crowned Central Province hockey champions. The champion team beat Mahamaya Girls’ College in the quarter finals and Swarnamali Girls’ College in the semifinals.

Kandy Girls’ High School beat Swarnamali Girls’ College in the 3rd place playoff.

St. Thomas’ College Matale and Vijaya College Matale qualified for the finals in the boys’ category, however due to bad weather and difficult conditions underfoot, the game was abandoned. The organizing committee decided to name the two teams joint champions.

Vijaya College beat Trinity College in the quarter finals and Kingswood College in the semifinals while St. Thomas’ College came to finals by overcoming Sumangala College, Kandy and Christ Church College, Matale in the quarter finals and semifinals respectively.

Christ Church College beat Kingswood College to claim 3rd place.

This tournament also served as a selection round for the National Schools’ Hockey Championship; the following teams will represent Central Province at the all-island tournament.