Defence Services staged a second half goal spree from being a goal behind to retain the Hockey Senior Nationals title, after defeating last year’s runner up Matale HC 5-1.
The newly commissioned Astro-turf was venue to this year’s hockey nationals which was worked out during the last few days. Fifteen teams battled it out for the nationals
In the final, Matale HC who settled down early on in the first half, as they managed to dictate play with ease. The midfielders for Matale were pulling most of the strings, as they looked to attack from the left wing constantly.
Consistent pressure by the Matale defenders whenever, the Defence Services had possession enforced a number of turn overs and interceptions, as the Reds (Matale) kept attacking wave after wave in search of that elusive opening goal. Matale had a good opportunity, when a probing ball was sent from midfield into the shooting circle only to be kicked thunderously by the Defence Services goal keeper who was well aware of the lurking danger posed by the Matale attackers.
However, it was not too long before the men in Red broke the shackles, with some beautiful interplay between the Matale attackers with CA Welgedara slashing the ball past the Defence Services keeper to go one up.
Defence Services, started to get themselves in the game as the match progressesed, but Matale kept them on check, with a few dangerous counter attacking attempts. At the end of the first half, Matale were well on top in all aspects of the game, but the defending champions seemed to have been playing with a handbrake on, as glimpses of their potential was seen throughout the half, but their performance was not consistent as they would have liked.
