Defending champions Hatton National Bank (HNB) was given a trying time by Air Force in the final that had to be decided on extra time, at the National Netball Championships that was concluded at Digana Indoor Stadium in Kandy recently.
After a battle of intense and close scoring the scores were level on 39-all at the end of full time. Even during extra time of 14 minutes the game produced a lot of excitement with the scores level again at 47-all but a desperate last ditch game plan saw HNB finish victorious on 49-47.
“It was after two years that netball players got an opportunity to show off their talent. This championship attracted 32 teams despite difficult times giving the event a huge success,” said Ranjani Jayakody, president of the Netball Federation.
“This was the first time that a National final went into extra time. This proved that they possess fighting spirits which is a good sign for the future,” said Hyacinth Wijesinghe the national netball coach.
She said the Federation plans to conduct a super league tournament before the Asian Championship in Singapore to get match exposure.
Malmi Hettiarachchi the 20-year-old player of HNB was crowned Netball Queen at this tournament.
Wijesinghe said Malmi has a good chance to enter the National pool after her superb showing.
Many National players were included in both HNB and Air Force teams. Skipper Dharshika Abeywickrama, Gayani Dissnayake, Dulangi Wannithillake and Gayanjali Amarawansa were with HNB while former National skipper Chaturangi Jayasuriya, Sureka Gamage and Thilini Wattegedera were with the Air Force team.
Dharshika Abeywickrama won the best shooter’s award while Gayanjali Amarawansa was named best centre court player. Chaturangi Jayasuriya won the best defensive player award.