Army lasses crown themselves in netball glory
The Sri Lanka Army won the national netball crown for the first time by defeating Hatton National Bank by 51 goals to 47 at the 15th National Netball Championship which was held at Uyanwatte in Matara. The competition attracted the participation of 27 teams who battled it out in four groups. Seylan Bank, Air Force, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Hatton National Bank topped the groups while Kurunegala District, Campbell Park Sports Club, Matara District and Sri Lanka Army finished their respective groups as runners-up.
The victorious Army SC netball team, who won their first major title at top level
The two teams were on equal terms after scoring ten goals each at the end of the first quarter but Army lasses assisted by accurate shooting by their skipper Kanchana Jayaweera took control at halftime by 26 to 24. They maintained their well earned lead and gradually picked up to stand ahead by 39 to 33 at the end of the third quarter. HNB bounced back to score 14 points in the final quarter, two points ahead of the Army girls who scored 12 during that session, but the lead they gained during the second and third quarters were sufficient to help them clinch the crown for the first ever time.
Captain of the Army team Kanchana Jayaweera was crowned the Netball Queen for 2013 while Gayathri Wickremage of Matara District team was adjudged the upcoming player of the year. Vishmi Nouchali Rajapakse of the Army was adjudged the best defender of the tournament.
Sri Lanka Army downed Seylan Bank by 36 goals to 33 while Hatton National Bank defeated Sri Lanka Ports Authority by 21 goals to 19 to reach the final, after two fitting semi-final battles. In the playoff for third place Seylan Bank defeated Sri Lanka Ports Authority by 47 goals to 30 without much trouble.
Earlier in the quarterfinals Seylan Bank defeated Matara District by 32 goals to 25, Army defeated the Air Force by 20 goals to 19, Sri Lanka Ports Authority defeated Kurunegala District by 29 goals to 27 and Hatton National Bank defeated Campbell Park SC by 32 goals to 07 to reach the semi-final stage.
Sri Lanka Army was captained by Kanchana Jayaweera (GS). She was well supported by her team mates Chanika Fernando (GA), Samudu Abeywardena (WA), Asha Anthony (C), P.D. Udani (WD), Marisha Fernado (GD), Nouchali Rajapaksha (GK), Chamila Maduwanthi, Sewwandi Karunarathne, Gayathri Wijessoriya and Maduka Madushani. The Army girls who won their inaugural major title in netball at national level were coached by Nalika Prasadi.
Hatton National Bank who were the favourites to win the final, was led by H.K.N. Dilrukshi (WD). Others who represented the HNB team were Shanika Samarasinghe (GS), Hansini Bandara (WA), Dainikha Abeywickrema (GA), Harshani Wijayalath (GK), Kumarini Silva (GD), Pabasara Gunasekera (C), Jayanthi Somasekeram, Anne Weerakkody and Sanitha de Alwis. Somitha Kumari de Alwis coached the side.
comments powered by Disqus