HNB win third consecutive Mercantile Hockey title

Championship winning Hatton National Bank team.(Pic by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

Hatton National Bank clinched third consecutive Mercantile Knockout Tournament ‘A’ Division Hockey title after a thrilling final contest at the Reid Avenue on Saturday.

They beat Sampath Bank 11-10 in an extended penalty shootout after a closely contested regulation time ended in a four all draw. Damith Madusanka Bandara (2), Upul Danushka Fernando (1) and Nuwan Mahara scored goals for HNB while Diluka Weerasooriya (2), Buwaneka Parahitiyawa (1) and Chinthaka Dilshan scored goals for Sampath.

Scores were leveled 4-4 even in the penalty shootout and the organizers were forced to extend the tie breaker further. HNB edged out the first time ‘A’ Division finalists 3-2 in the second penalty shootout. It was their 18 title of this tournament which is 68 years old now.

Commercial Bank were the second runners up.

In the ‘B’ Division final HSBC edged out Hayleys 3-2 to win the title. Seylan Bank were the second runners up.