Gateway retains Neville De Alwis-ralph Alles trophy

Gateway College defeated St. Thomas’ 2-1 in the 3rd edition of the Neville De Alwis- Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy taking a 3-0 lead in the series at the Gateway College Grounds, Ratmalana recently.

In this hard fought game Gateway right back Samithu Jayasinghe found the net in the 16th minute of the first half with a clean drive outside the box from a well worked off short corner. After half time, the Thomians equalised in the 59th minute with Gateway captain Alan Fernando heading into his own net from a St. Thomas’ corner. However, Gateway struck back immediately with a counter attack down the right with Gateway centre mid Isa Fahim crossing it to his midfield partner Samunu Kaggodaarachchi who smashed it into the back of the Thomian net from the edge of the box.

Gateway remind in control for the rest of the game with the Gateway backline of Samithu Jayasinghe, Umar Fazeer, Munir Aslam and Inas Iqbal controlling the game throughout, constantly breaking down the Thomian attacks and slowing down the game until the final whistle blown with the final score 2-1.

In a thrilling encounter, Gateway centre midfielder Samunu Kaggodaarachci was adjudged most valuable player and Infas Iqbal best goalkeeper

In the day’s other matches, Gateway alumni won their first ever encounter beating the St. Thomas’ alumni 5-3 on penalties, St. Thomas’ Under 16s won 3-2 and Gateway girls beat Overseas School 2-0.