Royal College HC win Bacon Cup in Colombo knockout

Friday, 27 January 2023 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Squatted from left: Sachithra Malshan, Senith Gajanayake, Manuja Gunawardana, Thisura Daksina, and Shazin Ahamed. Standing from left: Chirayu Wijekoon, Ashen Peiris, Shihar Aneez, Vice-Captain Punsara Aravinda, Sampath Subasinghe, Captain Chamara Samarakoon, Sandun Gajanayaka, Sadique M. Hanas and Vimukthi Rajapaksha

Royal College Hockey Club defeated Old Zahira Club to win the Bacon Cup after a thrilling final in the knockout tournament organised by Colombo Hockey Association recently held at Colombo Astro Turf ground.

Old Zahira dominated the game from the first minute, but RCHC scored the first goal through a penalty corner with Sandun Gajanayaka intelligently pushed the ball to sound the board at the 15th minute.

The RCHC led 1-0 at the lemons.

In the second half, Sampath Subasinghe scored another goal through a penalty corner in the 36th minute of the game off Gajanayaka’s pass despite Old Zahira dominating the second half.

Later, Zahirians aggressively attacked to score two goals in four minutes to level the score at 2-2 with Mufthi and Ifras scoring for them.

RCHC won by penalties after the game ended in a deadlock of 2-2. At one-point Old Zahirians led in penalties by 2-1 in the first two attempts. But RCHC managed to win the game by making no mistakes with the last two penalties.

Sadik Hanas, Manuja Gunawardena, Vimikthi Rajapakshe, and Chirayu Wijekoon outperformed in defence against the mighty OZHC team.

The glorious RCHC team was led by Chamara Samarakoon with Punsara Aravinda as his deputy. The team also comprised former Sri Lankan players Sandun Gajanayaka, Shihar Aneez, and Manuja Gunawardena as well as Masters Hockey World Cup team member Sampath Subasinghe. The old boys from Colombo 7 have won the title previously in 2012, 2016, and 2018.