Siyanetharu Sports Club of Gampaha and Golden Birds Sports Club of Radawana clinched the men’s and women’s titles of the 14th Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championships held at the National Youth Services Centre Indoor Stadium, Maharagama on Saturday
The Defending champion Siyanetharu Sports Club retained the men’s title defeating Rantharu Sports Club of Debegama in a thrilling final 3-2 (25/22 25/16 21/25 19/25 15/12) while Radawana Golden Birds also had a tough battle to beat Mahauswewa Ratnapala SC 3-1 (25/19, 25/21, 28/30, 25/23 to clinch the major title.
In the men’s final Rantharu Sports Club staged a magnificent fightback after losing the first two sets to bounce back to equalise by winning the next two sets. Even in the decisive final set Ranthuru fought back strongly for every point before Siyanetharun Sports Club clinched the
title. The fifth and final set Siayanetharu used their experience to get 8-5 lead at one stage but Rantharu team came back strongly with 12 – 14 and finally Siayanetharu recorded a15-12 win and clinch the Gold cup for the second consecutive year .
At the women’s final the experienced Golden Birds comprising mostly Sri Lankan stars gave a good show to overcome the youngsters of Rathanapala SC.Golden Birds SC players won the first two sets with out much effort but conceded the crucial third set after a marathon battle.
Playing with a bunch of junior players, Rathanapala SC fought back very well to keep good battle in this women’s final. Especially Ratnapala SC were able to win the third set with long game 30-28 and fourth and final set one again made a close fight but Golden Birds players used their experience to win 25-23 and take the title.
Earlier Siyanetharu Sports Club entered the finals after beating Balares Sports Club of Colombo by 3-0 while Rantharu Sports Club was beaten by V Six Sports Club of Madampe 3-0.V Six SC’s withdrawal paved the way for Rantharu Sports Club to qualify for the finals.As a result there were no third place in the men’s category.
The women’s champions Golden Birds SC reached the finals after defeating Casual Line Sports Club of Mawathagama in straight sets and the runners-up Rathanapala SC overcame Kapila Sports Club of Colombo 3-2 in the semi-finals.Casual Line of MAS Holdings secured the third place winning 2-0 against Kapila Sports Club.
The Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa was the chief Guest at the finals while Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalaitiya who is also the President of the Volleyball Fedearation and Senior General Manager Brand and Media Harsha Samaranayake wer graced the occasion to give the awards.
0 comments:
Post a Comment