HFC Kurunegala win Junior Netball crown
Holy Family Convent Kurunegala defeated Musaeus College Colombo 45-37 to emerge as champions in the Dialog National Junior Netball Championship which concluded at Gallella Public grounds Polonnaruwa yesterday.
It was a keen tussle between the two teams at the final but HFC fought back strongly in the fourth quarter to win the title. The top award of Netball Queen was won by HFC Kurunegala GA player Hiruni Heshani. Netmi Wijenayake of Musaeus won the Best Center award while Best Goal Shooter award was won by HFC Bashi Udagedera.
Musaeus led by Randuli Rubasinghe dominated the first two sets but HFC led by Taniya Gunasekera came from behind to clinch the title.
Musaeus led the game 11-9 and 22-20 in the first two quarters. However Museaus WD player Nethanga got injured and that affected the Musaeus game.
However, HFC Goal shooter Bashi Udagedera and Goal attacker Hiruni Heshani changed the game with a superb display to fight back and take the lead. After the third quarter HFC took the lead 33-31.
In the fourth and final quarter HFC maintained their lead and finish with eight points lead 45-37 to win.
The winning skipper Taniya Gunasekera of HFC who won the Best Defensive Player award said; “we played a superb game and had confidence to win the final. We lost to the same Musaeus team at the last week All Island Schools Games at Kurunegala with a narrow margin. This Junior National Netball Championship is a good exposure before the next Asian Junior Netball Championship and I am sure few my team players can enter the Junior National team. Our two coaches Amalka Gunatilleka and his Husband Ananda Wannithilleka the trainer rendered a great service to our team,” added skipper Taniya.
Earlier at the semi finals HFC Kurunegala beat Playgrounds, Colombo while Musaeus beat Kandy Hillwood team to enter the final.
The President of the Netball Federation Victoria Lakshmi said Dialog Axiata gave a tremendous support by sponsoring this event while Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony has been very supportive. Ashani Senaratne the General Manager Marketing Dialog Axiata was the chief guest at the award ceremony. Lahiru Promod District Manager Dialog Axiata Polonnaruwa and the top officials of the NFSL were also present.