Wennappuwa HA emerge champions
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The victorious Wennappuwa stickers (in blue) in action
Wennappuwa Hockey Association emerged champions at the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation organised Under-21 Junior Women’s National Hockey Championship 2019 at the Astro Turf, Torrington Square last weekend.
Wennappuwa scored a 2-1 victory over Kandy Hockey Association in the finals played in overcast conditions. Kandy HA defeated Sri Lanka Schools ‘Gold’ 3-1 in the first semi-final while Wennappuwa HA booked their slot in the finals scoring a 3-2 win over Colombo.
W.S.M. Fernando (1), D.R. Rajapakshe (1) and G.T. Jayaratne (1) contributed for the Kandy’s win and Sanduni Chaturangani scored the solitary goal for Sri Lanka Schools ‘Gold’ in the first semi final match. In the second semi final match Hansamali Dissanayake (1) and Nipuni Ishara (2) had a big hand in the Wennapuwa 3-2 win while A. Dissanayake (1) and G.C. Perera (1) were the scorers for the losers Colombo HA.
The finals got under way with Wennapuwa lasses occupying the Kandy goal area in most of the first quarter. The speedy Wennappuwa forwards beat the Kandy defence on so many occasions but lack of finishing touches resulted in missing opportunity of scoring. The first quarter came to an end without scoring by both sides.
In the 24th minute of the game and in the second quarter Kavindya Peiris sounded the board with a powerful drive to put Wennappuwa in the lead 1-0. Six minutes later Devindu Samudra scored the second goal for Wennappuwa to end the second quarter 2-0.
Kandy HA was unable to match the speed and stamina of the Wennappuwa team as they kept invading the Kandy goal area but failed to add to their score. On the other hand Kandy defenders stood firm in sending the rampaging Wennappuwa forwards back. Third quarter came to an end without any scoring as the score stood Wennappuwa 2, Kandy nil.
The fourth quarter saw Kandy taking the field with a new plan and played a good pass and attack game. The Wennappuwa forwards saw little of the ball in this half as their back division had some extra work to do sending the ball back into mid field. In the final minutes of the game C.N. Abeyratne with a solo run beat the Wennappuwa backs and goal keeper to score the solitary Kandy goal.
The final whistle was blown with Wennappuwa HA walking out winners with 2 goals to 1 of the hill capital HA.
Sanjana Fernando and P.N. Kaushini both of Wennappuwa HA were adjudged respectively the Most Outstanding Player and Best Goal Keeper of the Tournament.
In the battle for the 3rd place Colombo scored a 3-1 win over Sri Lanka schools ‘Gold’.
– Lakshman Ranasinghe;
Pix by Amila Gamage
