Royal emerge unbeaten hockey champs

The Champion team (standing from left): Sachin Dissanayaka, Furqaan Irfaan, Yasith de Costa (Captain), Rohan Dissanayake (Coach), Sajana de Soyza (Vice Captain), Goutham Kiirubakaran, Anojan Ganesharaja

(Squatting from left): Uchitha Wasudewa, Dinuka Edirisingha, Sajad Irshad,  Manjitha de Silva, Pasindu Charuka, Dilan Silva, Nadun Wijewardena, Himesha Hettige

Royal College under 18 hockey team emerged unbeaten western province champions for the third consecutive year, beating Nalanda College in the final at Royal College grounds recently. 

They edged Nalanda out by 4-3 in penalty strokes in an evenly fought final after the match ended 2-2 at the final whistle in the tournament conducted by the Ministry Of Education. 

The defending champions, who won last year’s national schools games, edged Ananda College by a solitary goal in the semi final after succeeding against Maristella College, Negombo in the quarter final by 1-0. 

The winners were led by Yasith Costa and coached by former national coach Rohan Dissanayake.