HFC dominate but Union College, Jaffna take major honours

Schools Netball Championship

by Roshen Steelman

Even though Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala (HFC) had an impressive run in the recently concluded Sri Lanka Schools Netball Championships, the highlight became the performance of the Union College of Jaffna.

Union College created history by becoming the first school from the previously war-torn city of Jaffna to qualify for the finals of the Schools Netball Championships. They met HFC in the Under-18 final and HFC thrashed Union College 32 points to 18.

Union College, who have been participating at the Schools Netball Championships since 1998, had to surpass many challenges so as to take part in this event mainly as a result of the civil war. But once the civil war was over, they have managed to come up with a solid performance by reaching the finals of the Under-18 age group category.

Union College defeated strong Musaeus College, Colombo in the semi-final encounter.

Meanwhile HFC, who had an impressive run in last year’s Sri Lanka Schools Netball Championships, continued their winning habits clinching the championship title in the all four age group categories of this year’s Schools Netball Championships which was held in its 21st edition.

HFC won the championship in the Under-18, 16, 14 and 12 dominating this year’s event.

Meanwhile HFC met Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya in the Under-16 and Under-14 finals and came out on top on both instances.

HFC enjoyed 20-14 victory in the Under-16 final while in the Under-14 final, they won 20-12.

The Under-12 final, however, was a thrilling contest with HFC edging out Musaeus College by three points (12-9)

HFC went on to win the overall championship while Kalutara BV finished second with Musaeus College ending third.

Meanwhile in the ‘B’ Division championship, Dehigahalanda MV, Hambantota overcame Mallehewa MV, Monaragala 18-10 in the final while Mahakeliya MV, Wariyapola did well to beat Bandarapola MV, Matale 21-02 in the Under-16 final.

The Under-14 and 12 age group finals were won by Kumbukwewa MV and Polwatta MV, Ampara respectively.

The tournament is conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association while Nestle Lanka PLC, under the brand name of Milo, had come forward to sponsor the event for the 20th successive year. This year’s tournament was conducted under a new format giving a better opportunity for the schools which have a number of students below 1,000.

RESULTS

Under-18

Final: Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala beat Union College, Jaffna 32-18

Consolation Final: Girls High School, Kandy beat Musaeus College, Colombo 23-11

Best Player: S. R. Hapuarachchi (Holy Family Convent)

Under-16

Final: Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala beat Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya 20-14

Consolation Final: Girls High School, Kandy beat Ave Maria College, Negombo 19-15

Best Player: Rashmi Reshan (Kalutara BV)

Under-14

Final: Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala beat Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya 20-12

Consolation Final: Ananda Balika Vidyalaya beat Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya 14-11

Best Player: Sewmini Gunawardane (Kalutara BV)

Under-12

Final: Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala beat Musaeus College, Colombo 12-09

Consolation Final: Sri Siddhartha MV beat Pannala National School 12-06

Best player: Semini Madara (Holy Family Convent)

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