Draft:Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy

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Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy

Sport	Field hockey
Teams	Royal College, Colombo S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
First meeting	2000 STC-4 , RC-0
Latest meeting	2023 STC-0 , RC-1
Trophy	The Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy
Statistics
All-time record	Wins Tied, 10–6–6 (.591)
Longest win streak	STC, 7 (2000-2006)
Longest unbeaten streak	RC , 10 (2007-2016)
Current win streak	RC , 1 (2023-present)

The Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy is indeed a significant event in the sporting calendar of Sri Lanka, particularly in the context of school hockey. This annual match between Royal College, Colombo, and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, honors the legacy of Mr. Orville Abeynaike, who made substantial contributions to sports and education in the country.

The competition was established in 2000, well after both schools had established their hockey teams in the 1960s. It serves not only as a competitive sports event but also as a celebration of Mr. Abeynaike's influence as both a legendary sportsman and a dedicated coach at S. Thomas' College. His contributions helped shape the sport's development within the school, inspiring many young athletes over the years.

This encounter has become more than just a match; it represents a deep-seated tradition of rivalry, camaraderie, and sportsmanship between two of Sri Lanka's prestigious schools.

History

The early years of the Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy were dominated by S. Thomas' College (STC), who showcased their superiority by winning the trophy consistently for the first five years. During this period, STC maintained clean sheets for four consecutive years, clearly demonstrating their strength and skill on the field. It wasn't until the 2004 match that Royal College (RC) managed to score their first goal in the series, although STC still won that encounter 3-2.

A significant turning point came in 2007 when Royal College, after enduring seven straight defeats, achieved a remarkable 4-0 victory under the leadership of Ashen Peiris. This win was a pivotal moment that injected new life and competition into the rivalry.

The 2008 encounter, which followed Royal's first-ever victory, is widely regarded as the most thrilling match in the history of the Orville Abeynaike Memorial Trophy. The game ended in a 2-2 draw at full time, and, in an unprecedented move, both team captains requested that the winner be decided by penalty strokes—a first in the trophy's history. The initial five-penalty series ended in a 3-3 tie, showcasing the determination and fighting spirit of both teams. The match then moved to a single-series penalty shootout, which also ended in a 1-1 tie due to poor lighting. Consequently, the match was declared a draw, marking the only penalty shootout in the history of the Orville Abeynaike Trophy.

This historic encounter exemplified the intense rivalry and mutual respect between the two schools, highlighting the unpredictable and fiercely competitive nature of the annual hockey match.

Royal College's victory in 2007 indeed marked the beginning of a remarkable period in the history of the Orville Abeynaike Trophy. This win initiated the longest unblemished streak in the tournament's history. With a series of strong performances, Royal College secured three consecutive victories from 2010 to 2012, allowing them to retain the trophy at Reid Avenue for nearly a decade. This dominance by Royal College exemplified their growth and resilience in the sport.

Another notable chapter in the history of the Orville Abeynaike Trophy occurred in 2016 when, for the first time, the match was played under artificial lights. This was not only a first for the Trophy but also a milestone in Sri Lanka Schools' Hockey history, reflecting the growing popularity and modern evolution of the sport within the school circuit.

The 2017 encounter, however, saw a shift in momentum. S. Thomas' College delivered a stunning performance, defeating the reigning National Schools' Games Champion, Royal College, with a convincing 3-1 victory. This win was a significant achievement for S. Thomas' College, as they managed to reclaim the prestigious trophy and demonstrate their ongoing competitive spirit in this long-standing rivalry.

In 2018, S. Thomas' College (STC) continued their strong form from the previous year, securing another victory in the Orville Abeynaike Trophy with a narrow 1-0 win. This consecutive win reinforced their resurgence and demonstrated their solid gameplay and strategy.

The 2019 match, however, was marked by intense competition and determination from both teams. Each side fought hard to claim victory, with relentless attacks and counterattacks throughout the game. Despite the high level of effort and skill displayed by both teams' attackers, the defenders and goalkeepers were exceptional in their performance, managing to keep the scoreline goalless. Even after the match went into extra time, neither side could break the deadlock, resulting in a 0-0 draw. This encounter stood as a testament to the evenly matched prowess and sportsmanship of both schools, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of this historic rivalry.

Unfortunately, the Orville Abeynaike Trophy matches were not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to many sporting events worldwide. The absence of these encounters was felt deeply, given the rich history and intense rivalry between Royal College and S. Thomas' College.

However, when the tournament resumed in 2022, S. Thomas' College picked up right where they left off. Continuing their dominant streak, STC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Royal College, once again demonstrating their resilience and strong form. This win marked yet another chapter in STC's ongoing success in recent years, reinforcing their position as a formidable force in the history of the Orville Abeynaike Trophy.

In 2023, the Orville Abeynaike Trophy saw a dramatic turn of events when the match was held at the Colombo University grounds. Royal College, after a series of defeats and a long period of STC's dominance, managed to bounce back with a determined 1-0 victory. This win was significant for Royal College, as it broke S. Thomas' College's winning streak and reignited their hopes and competitive spirit in this storied rivalry.

Royal's victory in 2023 marked a moment of resurgence, proving that the battle for the Orville Abeynaike Trophy remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever, with both teams continuing to push the limits in their pursuit of glory.

These memorable moments underscore the ever-evolving and dynamic nature of the Orville Abeynaike Trophy, capturing the essence of school-level sportsmanship, rivalry, and tradition in Sri Lanka.

Trophy

The trophy was donated by the family of the late Mr. Orville Abeynaike, a glittering thomian sportsman. Because of its unique shape, this trophy stands out among other big match trophies. It's made of wood, and the previous match results of the encounter are engraved on the trophy's face.

Venue

The first eight games were played at the Astro Turf Colombo, and after Royal College's first win, S. Thomas' College invited that the game be played at their "Big Club Ground". Big Club Ground is a scenic ground that is constantly brushed by sea breezes. Following this act, Royal College decided to hold the next meeting at their main ground, which is not only picturesque but also enormous. For a few years, both schools hosted the game on their home ground, but from 2015 to the present, the game has been played at the Astro Turf.

Astro Turf Colombo - 2000-2007, 2013, 2015-2022

Royal College Main Ground - 2009, 2011

Big Club Ground - 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2024

Colombo University Grounds - 2023

Past winners

Summary of Results

Match	Year	Venue	Result		Winners
			RC	STC
1	2000	Astro Turf	0	4	STC
2	2001	Astro Turf	0	2	STC
3	2002	Astro Turf	0	3	STC
4	2003	Astro Turf	0	1	STC
5	2004	Astro Turf	2	3	STC
6	2005	Astro Turf	2	3	STC
7	2006	Astro Turf	1	2	STC
8	2007	Astro Turf	4	0	RC
9	2008	STC Grounds	2(6)	2(6)	DRAWN
10	2009	RC Grounds	1	1	DRAWN
11	2010	STC Grounds	4	1	RC
12	2011	RC Grounds	4	0	RC
13	2012	STC Grounds	4	1	RC
14	2013	Astro Turf	0	0	DRAWN
15	2014	STC Grounds	3	0	RC
16	2015	Astro Turf	2	1	RC
17	2016	Astro Turf	0	0	DRAWN
18	2017	Astro Turf	1	3	STC
19	2018	Astro Turf	0	1	STC
20	2019	Astro Turf	0	0	DRAWN
—	2020	No encounter due to COVID-19 pandemic
—	2021	No encounter due to COVID-19 pandemic
21	2022	Astro Turf	0	1	STC
22	2023	Colombo University Grounds	1	0	RC
23	2024	STC Grounds			Yet to be played

Trivia

• The highest sequence of wins in the series is 7; by S. Thomas', between 2000 and 2006 which ended when the Royalists broke the streak in 2007 with a margin of 4-0.
• In 2016 the game played under artificial lights was the first ever schools Hockey match played under lights in Sri Lanka.
• Royal Captains Shahid Kuthubdeen (2012), Malith Rasanga (2015) have been awarded the 'Royal Crown' for their outstanding contribution to Royal Hockey.....................................................................................................................................j

See Also

• Royal-Thomian rivalry
• Royal Thomian Regatta