A fighting win for Matale Legends over CH&FC

Matale Legends, led by National player, Palitha Weerasinghe had to fight every inch of the way to beat CH&FC on penalties (2-1) in the Final of the second Masters Hockey League 2022, concluded at the Torrington Astro Turf recently.  

As the score was deadlocked at 0-0 at full time, a single stroke penalty tie-breaker was enforced; the decider for Matale was scored by former Army and National Capt., Premesh Cramer.   

The tournament conducted by Lanka Masters Hockey Association (SLMNHA), revived after a lapse of five years, was sponsored by Nippon Paint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and co-sponsored by Alpha Global Shipping Services and A&A Construction Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.,   

In the league stage Matale Legends finished on top of Group ‘A’ unbeaten, with wins against Sri Lanka Masters ‘Gold’ (2-1), Old Bens (3-0), Badulla Masters (1-0) and BRC (1-0). Unbeaten CH&FC, who topped Group ‘B’ beat, Lanka Masters ‘Maroon’ (1-0), CR&FC (1-0), Old DSS (3-0) and Malays (2-0).   

In the ‘Plate’ final, Sri Lanka Masters ‘Gold’ beat CR&FC, 1-nil and in the ‘Bowl’ Final, Badulla ‘Masters’ beat Old DSS, 1-nil.   

Thilina Perera from CH&FC, adjudged as the Player of the Tournament was awarded the Lloyed Fredrick Colin Mariyanayagam Memorial Trophy.   

The awards were given away by the Chief Guest, Group General Manager, Nippon Paint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Nimantha Abeysinghe, Mrs. Achala Fredrick, Guest of Honour and President, SLMNHA, Fowzal Hameed. 

(BM)