Royal junior stickers retain Chandi Chanmugam trophy after Karunasiri’s hat trick

Saturday, 27 September 2025 02:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Victorious Royal Under-16 hockey team after winning Chandi Chanmugam Challenge trophy – standing (from left): Dilsara Prabath, Risaja Mahalla, Sithupa Rathnayaka,Kumuthulu Gunathilaka, Savain Karunasiri (Vice-Captain), Sulaiman Shihar (Captain), Vidu Wijesinghe, Dineth Jayesinghe, Thenuja Wijayanayaka, Abdullah Wasim, Kalana Nethmina, Hirun Lindula, and Viren Wettasinghe, squatting (from left): Bingun Savidya, Thineth Weerabahu, Daniru Rubasinghe, Gunitha Dissanayaka, Hiruka Ranaweera, Navidu Liyanage, Sasmitha Sandayuru, Seth Pathirathna, and Anslem Antonipillai

Royal skipper Sulaiman Shihar receives Chandi Chanmugam Challenge trophy from S.Thomas College Chaplain Fr. Samuel J. Ponniah after winning annual encounter by 5-1

A hat trick with two late goals by Savain Karunasiri led Royal College Under-16 to win Chandi Chanmugam Challenge trophy by 5-1 against their arch rivals S.Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia in the annual hockey encounter played at Colombo International Astro Turf last weekend.

From the start, the both teams found it difficult to overcome their traditional rivals, but Royal Vice-Captain Karunasiri reflected a fast moving ball into the goal to score the first goal of the match. Later Seth Pathirathna added a stylish goal to lead the Reid avenue team with 2-0 at the lemons.

In the second half, the STC bounced back with a reverse stick goal by their skipper Hansa Thilakarathne to reduce the Royal lead to 2-1 before Vidu Wijesinghe scored the third goal for Royal. Karunasiri scored two goals within quick succession in the last seven minutes of the game to secure a 5-1 victory for Royal.

With the win, Royal juniors won the Chandi Chanmugam trophy for the second successive year.

Karunasiri adjudged best player for his hat trick goals while Royalist Hirun Lindula was chosen as the best goal keeper in the under 16 category.