• Will Bishop’s regain or Ladies’ retain? That is the question

The epic rivalry is back as the most looked forward to Hockey encounter in town is back with the showdown tomorrow (28) at Police Park where Bishop’s College and Ladies’ College will vie for glory for the 18th LC-BC Trophy. 

The 2023 fixture went down to the wire, in the Under-17 game LC clinched a 1-0 victory whilst the Under-19 game ended in a thrilling 0-0 draw. Thus LC’ites took home the overall title. The Bishopians recently toured India and that will add a lot of exposure in their unit.

Ladies’ College U19 - Amaani Imran (Capt.), Anya Abhayaratne (VC), Thimanya Ellepola, Pranali Britto(GK), Taliya de Fonseka, Chiara Niyarepole, Minelle de Fonseka, Deanne Rathnayake, Rachel Fernando, Raliya Jabir, Thisumi Karunathilake, Nulandi Kariyawasam, Danica Weeratunga, Kristen Benjamin, Devinya Weerakkody, Seraiah de Silva, Yenuli Ahangama, Sohanya de Mel, Raneka Pathirana, Katia de Silva(GK), Visthi Abeyrathna, Joanna Ilambarathy,   

Bishop’s College U19 - Nethra Shanker (Capt.), Maika Tennekoon (VC), Hannah Daniel, Aleena Fowzie, Ameesha Samarasinghe, Amna Ilyas, Anaanya Silva, Ashalee Pathirana, Ayra Wadood, Danaara Jayaweera, Dinara Kumar, Inakshi Bopearachchi, Krystal Kapugama(GK), Liniksha Baskaran, Nesara Wickramanayake, Ruhara Fernando, Sehasa de Silva, Shenuki de Soysa, Tessara Karunaratne, Anika Tennekoon, Bhagya Fernando, Esther Daniel, Sameeha Al Ayad, Theersha Perera, Vinaya Perera(GK)

Interestingly both teams retain the services of last year's captains, Thimanya Ellepola (LC) and Anika Tennekoon (BC). LC lead the win tally 9-6.

The encounter inaugurated in 2005 has produced and continues to produce excellent camaraderie and friendly rivalry between the two schools with plenty of on and off the field glamour, enriching the sporting spirit.

LC 2024 season 

• 2nd Runners-up (cup) Blue and Gold hockey 7s  
• 7 players selected to represent Colombo District team in the inter-district schools nationals 
• 1 player selected to represent Sri Lanka in Singapore (SL team qualified for the Asia cup)

BC 2024 season 

• 3rd at the Western Province Tournament and qualified for the upcoming National Schools Tournament
• Qualified for the quarterfinals of the All-Island Hockey Tournament, held in Matara, with matches to be played in the future
• 5 players represented the Colombo District team  
• 3 players represented the Sri Lanka Schools team

LC-BC Hockey Shield – Past winners

Year                Winner

2005                Ladies’

2006                Ladies’

2007                Ladies’

2008                Ladies’

2009                Ladies’

2010                Joint champs

2011                Bishop’s         

2012                Bishop’s                

2013                Ladies’

2014                Joint champs     

2015                Ladies’

2016                Bishop’s       

2017                Bishop’s   

2018                Ladies’   

2019                Bishop’s         

2020                Not played            

2021                Bishop’s     

2022                Joint champs

2023                Ladies’

Let’s take a look at last year’s special award winners,

2023 U17 special awards

Best Defensive Player – Maika Tennekoon (BC)

Best Goalkeeper – Pranali Britto (LC) –  won in 2022 as well

Best Offensive Player – Taliya De Fonseka (LC)

2023 U19 (1st XI) special awards

Best Offensive Player – Maika Tennekoon (BC)

Best Defensive Player – Anika Tennekoon (BC)

Best Goalkeeper – Dehara Senaratne (LC) – won in 2022 as well