HNB Merc Div ‘A’ knockout champs
View(s):Hatton National Bank clinched the Mercantile ‘A’ Division Knockout Championship when they scored an easy 24-8 win over Commercial Bank in their Mercantile Netball Championship 2016 tie played at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Stadium, Maradana yesterday.
HNB scored a stunning upset over the defending champions Seylan Bank 46-40 in a hotly contested match while in the other semi-final Commercial Bank defeated Sampath Bank 29-17 to book a berth in the finals. HNB on their way to the championship never allowed the opponent to dominate a single set as they led in all four quarters 9-3, 16-5, 19-7 and 24-8 respectively. HNB had the services of three former national captains in Jayanthi Somasekaram de Silva who was going strong at the age of 50, Sashikala Samarasinghe and Harshani Wijayalath in addition to several former national players.
The tournament which was worked-off in five divisions and in the ‘B’ Division Expo Lanka emerged champs by defeating Nations Trust Bank 35-18. Singer Sri Lanka won the ‘C’ Division championship when they scored a thrilling 16-15 victory over National Development Bank and Kanrich didn’t find things difficult in beating Commercial Leasing 9-2 to win the ‘D’ Division championship. Seylan Bank walked away with the Open Mixed Division championship scoring a close 14-12 win over Nations Trust Bank.
In this well organised tournament 24 teams participated from 19 mercantile establishments.
Gayanjali Amarawansa of the HNB was adjudged the Queen of the Tournament while Best Shooters award was won by Dharshika Abeywickrema also of HNB. Kumarani Silva (HNB) walked away with the Best Defenders award along with Jayaliya Kumari (Seylan Bank) and Hashini Ariyaratne (NDB) were adjudged as Best Center Court Player and the Up Coming Player of the tournament respectively.
- SP