Skipper Nipuni played a key role in HFC, Wennappuwa’s success

In an electrifying final showdown at Reid Avenue on Sunday, the undefeated Holy Family Girls School Wennappuwa emerged victorious with a resounding 2-0 triumph over Ladies’ College, clinching the highly coveted ESOFT Gold and Blue Hockey Sevens championship.

Led by the determined captain Nipuni Fernando, the Wennappuwa School demonstrated their prowess on the field. Fernando struck the first goal, setting the tone for their remarkable victory. The second goal, a precision shot, came from the stick of Tharu Subasinghe, further solidifying their dominance over Ladies’ College. This marked their second victory against their rivals in the tournament, as they had previously secured a 2-0 win during the group stage clash.

The nine-member squad, under the able leadership of Nipuni Fernando, exhibited exceptional teamwork and skill throughout the tournament. Nipuni Fernando’s outstanding performance earned her the distinction of being the tournament’s Best Player.

“This year’s team boasts a different composition, with a majority of younger players. Our lineup includes two under-14 players, three under-16 players, and two players in the under-18 age category. Notably, there are no final year players; this is indeed a youthful team,” stated Head Coach Milan Boteju. who also leads the Sri Lanka National Women’s Team, highlighted the dedication and commitment displayed by all team members.

The road to victory was paved with relentless determination and strategic game play. “We approached the tournament match by match, working tirelessly towards success. The journey was guided by systematic preparation and practice. The players’ unwavering commitment was evident throughout the season,” Coach Boteju affirmed.

Holy Family Girls School Wennappuwa showcased their supremacy by conquering all six matches during the two-day championship. Their journey included a semifinal triumph against Swarnamali Balika Kandy with a scoreline of 2-0. In the quarter-finals, they overcame Visakha Vidyalaya with a decisive 2-0 victory. The pre-quarter final match against Yasodara Balika Vidyalaya Colombo ended in a draw, but Wennappuwa secured the win with a 1-0 lead in

penalty strokes.

The team’s exceptional performance began in the group stage, where they were pitted against Ladies’ College and Rathnavali Balika Gampaha. In these group matches, Ratnavali Balika was outclassed by a dominant 4-0 victory, while Ladies’ College succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against the relentless Wennappuwa Holy Family Girls School. .

Acknowledgement was given to the pivotal role played by teachers-in-charge Priyangani Senanayake and Harindra Perera, as well as Assistant Coach Ruwan Fernando, in steering the team towards this remarkable victory.

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