A determined Bombay Republicans dished out a combined fighting display and managed to edge past Indian Navy by a 3-2 margin in an absorbing and well-contested men’s final of the St Peter’s Youth Centre Annual Hockey Tournament for the Late Raphal Donald Trophy and played under floodlights at the Fr. Donnelly Sports Complex Artificial Turf at the St. Stanislaus High School ground, Bandra.
The Bombay Republicans players proudly pose with the Late Raphal Donald Trophy along with Chief Guests, Olympians M.M. Somaya and Dhanraj Pillay.
The Republicans outfit showed good coordination and teamwork and scored their goals through Gaurav Nimbolkar, Venkatesh Devkar and Vinay Walmiki to clinch a tight win and emerge champions. The fitter Indian Navy side fought gamely and netted both the goals through their ace forward Dayanand Singh.
Meanwhile in the Inter-school final for boys, St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra defeated their arch-rivals Don Bosco High School, Matunga 3-2 via the tie-breaker after regulation period finished in an exciting goalless draw. In the girls’ final, St. Joseph’s Convent, Bandra, coached by the evergreen Saby Noronha defeated Dureullo Convent, Bandra 2-1. The goal-scorers for the victors were Cheryl Gouria and Amanda D’Souza while Aishwarya Dubey scored the lone goal for Dureullo Convent.
The winning Bombay Republicans team received the ‘Champions’ Trophy and the winners prize money of Rs 50,000 from Chief Guest, Rohan Donald, son of Late Raphael Donald . Indian Navy were presented with the runners-up trophy and a cash award of Rs 25000.
Olympians M.M Somaya , Dhanraj Pillay, Mervyn Fernandis, Marcellus Gomes, Joaquim Carvalho, Dr Vecs Paes, Kulwant Arora witnessed the finals and also did the honours of giving away some of the prizes.
Final Results – Men’s: Bombay Republicans 3 (Gaurav Nimbolkar, Venkatesh Devkar, Vinay Walmiki) beat Indian Navy 2 (Dayanand Singh 2).
MDFA requests Div-III teams to complete registration by May 15
The MDFA has requested all Third Division clubs/teams and the newly formed clubs that want to participate in the MDFA League for the coming season 2018-2019 to complete their registrations and all other necessary formalities, latest by Tuesday, May 15, 2018. The registration forms are available at the MDFA office, Parel between working hours – 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Club/team owners and managers will have to submit the registration forms duly filled and with all the required documents. Those teams who do not register their club/ team by Tuesday will not be permitted to participate in the MDFA League for this season.
For more details contact: U. Banerjee – 9892699099.