Chennai: MCC launched the Chola MS Schools Premier League football tournament on Wednesday with a six. Five goals in a devastating nine-minute spell in the first half helped hosts MCC trounce Chettinad Vidyashram 6-0 in the opening match of the first-ever school league in Chennai.
In the second match of the day, Vidya Mandir got the better of Don Bosco (Perambur) 1-0 thanks to S. Gokul’s 35th minute winner.
The opening exchanges between MCC and Chettinad suggested that the match would be close. But Chettinad’s confident start ultimately proved to be a false dawn as they crumbled in the face of their opponents’ attacking play. MCC students, who had gathered at the ground in large numbers after their classes, enjoyed every bit of the football team’s dominant show.
MCC’s right-winger R. Prabhu tormented Chettinad throughout. He scored two and set up three in the first half as Chettinad’s defence fell apart. He formed an attacking trident with central midfielder R. Lokesh and left-winger H. Gulabh. No wonder Prabhu was adjudged man of the match.
Lokesh and Gulabh contributed two goals apiece in the rout. Chettinad enjoyed height advantage over MCC but in skill they were no match to their opponents. MCC also combined well as a team. Chettinad defenders, especially the centre-backs, were found wanting in anticipation and pace.
Earlier, Sports Mechanics director S. Ramakrishnan and MCC headmaster G.J. Manohar launched the trophy in the presence of captains of the 14 schools taking part in the league.
Chennai United FC are organising the league and Chola MS is title sponsor. Varun Tripuraneni, founder of Chennai United, reiterated his club’s commitment to develop football at grassroots level in Chennai. The league will be conducted in three venues. After three days of action at MCC, the tournament will move to St. Michael’s (Adyar) and Don Bosco (Perambur).
Results: MCC 6 (Gulabh 20, 54; Prabu 24, 25; Lokesh 26, 29) bt Chettinad Vidyashram 0. MoM: Prabhu. Vidya Mandir 1 (Gokul 35) bt Don Bosco (Perambur) 0. MoM: Gokul.
Action today: At MCC: Group A: Don Bosco (Egmore) vs St.Bede's (3 pm). Vanavani vs P.S. Senior (4.30 pm).
Yellowz defeat Griffinz
Riding on Velmurugan’s brace Yo Yo Yellowz earned a convincing 3-1 win against Green Griffinz in the Anna Hockey League match on Wednesday. For his impressive performance Velmurugan was awarded the man of the match.
Results: Yo Yo Yellowz 3 (Velmurugan 2, Kumple) bt Green Griffinz 1 (Aravindhan). MoM: Velmurugan.
U-14 junior tennis championship
R. Ramachandran memorial Aita junior tennis championship for boys and girls U-14 and 16 will be conducted by Madurai Union Club jointly with YMCA-Alagappa Nagar, Madurai, from January 27 to February 1. The last date for entries will be January 15. For details log onto: unionclub1883@yahoo.com .
TT championship from January 25
The Medimix Madras district TT championships will be held at Chandra TT coaching centre (SBOA) on January 25 and 26 January. For details contact 94441 44482. Entries close on January 20.
Washington stars in St. Bede’s win
M.S. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 36 to help St. Bede’s AIHSS to an impressive 10-wicket win against Modern SSS in the junior Super Kings inter-school T20 tournament here on Wednesday.
Brief scores: Modern SSS, Nanganallur 56 in 17.5 overs (S. Dinesh Kumar 28, M.V. Vishal Sundar 2/10, R. Ashwin 3/9, M. Abhinav Sundar 2/16, L. Sathyanarayanan 2/3) lost to St. Bede’s AIHSS, Santhome 59 for no loss in 5.3 overs (M.S. Washington Sundar 36*). MoM: L. Sathyanarayanan (St. Bede’s A.I.HSS); The Boys HSS, Srirangam 102/8 in 20 overs (C. Sundar 25, P. Ajith Kumar 4/20) lost to Santhome HSS, Santhome 103/1 in 13.1 overs (S.P. Natarajan 49*, K. Vishal Vaidya 43*). MoM: S.P. Natarajan (Santhome HSS). Action today: St. Bede’s AIHSS, Santhome vs Santhome HSS; Modern SSS, Nanganallur vs The Boys HSS, Srirangam.
