Siriduwa SC, Vijaya SC carry away President’s Gold Cup

Bernard PERERA

Seeduwa Siriduwa sports club the last years runner-up in the Dialog President’s Gold Cup defeated Siyanetharu SC from Gampaha the defending champions three sets to one (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20) yesterday at NYSC courts to win the the Gold Cup 2009 and the cash award of Rs. 100,000.

Siriduwa SC led by Jagath Sanjaya Senadheera was in full control of the first set from the word go and took a firm lead in the half way mark 15-11. The defending champions fought gallantly to reduce the lead to two points 22-19. But the Seeduwa spikers displayed a fine performance there onwards and went onto win the set at 25-23. The second set began once gain with the Seeduwa team taking the first point and their opponents followed closely and were seen both teams trying their best to get a lead. Siriduwa lads took control of the set three consecutive points and never allowed the Gampaha team to come close to them. They finished the set at 25-19 to take a firm lead two sets to nil. Siriduwa entered the court with lot of confidence for the third set hoping to have a clean sweeper defending champions. But things changed dramatically as the defending champs made a strong comeback to fight all the way to win this set in a thrilling manner.

Here too it was Siriduwa SC who made the start to collect points but when the scores were level at 9 all. Siyane Tharu spikers got ahead and continued to maintain a high temp. At one stage Seeduwa spikers came forward to close the gap to two points but failed in their bid and lost the set at 25-21 to make it 2-1 in favour of the Seeduwa team and the set went on for the fourth set.

Siriduwa spikers got their act together once again and continued to trouble the Gampaha team. They kept the pressure on and moved towards victory in this set 25-20 and also the match to touch the most prestigious Dialog President’s Cap after a lapse of one year.

Meanwhile in the women’s final Vijaya SC from Koswadiya defeated the reigning champions Golden Birds SC from Radawana three sets to two in a gruelling battle. This match was played prior to the men’s final.

Golden Birds SC took the first quite comfortably 25-15 in quick time to be in front 1-0. Vijaya SC came back strongly in the next set to win at 25-22. This set was very closely contested and it read as 1-1.

The third set commence and the teams were engaged in a strong battle once again. At one stage the Vijaya SC were trailing by 8 points, but with fine performance closed the gap to two points 24-22. Golden Birds got the most vital point at this stage to win the set and be in front 2-1.

The fourth set became one of the best sets as it was moving this way and that way. The set reached it highest peak with only one point separating them and Vijaya SC won the set at 26-24 to be an equal terms and had to go in for the fifth set the decider.

This deciding set was a complete domination by the Vijaya SC. They never allowed their opponents to came close to them and reached the winning target of 15 points giving away only seven points.

In the women’s category the following received the special awards. Best Defender: Omila Hemanthi (Vijaya SC), Best Setter: Nadeeshani Samaraweera (Vijaya SC), Best Spiker: Dinesha Prasadini (Vijaya SC), Best Server: Nadeeka Athukorala (Golden Birds SC): Best Receiver: D. Illangakoon (Golden Birds SC), Most Valuable Player: Dinesha Prasadini (Vijaya SC).