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4th Asian Youth Netball Tournament
Lankan lasses begin campaign in style
By M. Shamil Amit
Defending champions Sri Lanka began their campaign in retaining the title in style with a decisive 99-14 win over India in the opening match of the Fourth Asian Youth Netball tournament which got under way at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka skipper and goal shooter Gishanthi Jayakody who is ranked the sixth best goal shooter in the world was in terrific form scoring 49 of them while Iresha Harshini (28) and Sanduni Bollegala (22) were the other main contributors for the Lankan team. The Indians were rattled with the Sri Lankans having their own way, taking a 23-5 lead in the first quarter, 18-5 in the second, 31-0 in the third and 27-4 in the last quarter of the game.

In the second match of the day last year's runner up Malaysia overcame Thailand 64-34 after taking a 15-11 lead in the first quarter, 17-7 in the second, 19-13 in the third and 13-9 in the fourth. In the last match of the day Singapore got the better of Maldives 67-17 with scores of 19-5 in the first, 15-5 in the second, 15-3 in the third and 18-4 in the last quarter.

The Sri Lankans lasses are tipped to take the title for the third successive year with stiff opposition being expected from Malaysia and Singapore who were the champions of the inaugural tournament in 1994. The three matches scheduled for today are 2.30 p.m. Sri Lanka vs Thailand. 4.30 p.m. Thailand vs Singapore. 6.15 p.m. India vs Malaysia. The tournament is scheduled to to end on July 30.

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