Wattegama MV Provincial Girls Schools softball cricket champs again

Wattegama Maha Vidyalaya emerged champions for the second successive year at the Provincial Girls Schools Softball Cricket Tournament organised by the Education Department and played at St. Anthony's Girls' College Ground earlier this week.

Vidyakara Vidyalaya, Poramadulla were the runners-up for the first time. Mahamaya Girls College who were champions in 2011 were third for the second successive year, beating Zonal Champs Leelkandura Vidyalaya of Deltota.

The preliminary round matches were played at Sri Rahula College grounds, Katugastota, Wattegama Balika, Vidyakara Vidyalaya and Mahamaya Girls. Teams that came first, second and third qualified to participate at the All-Island Girls Schools Tournament to be held later this year.

There were some rural schools that fared well in the tournament. Schools from Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Matale districts participated. The teachers from most schools expressed a desire to play hard ball cricket and they hoped that the Sri Lanka Cricket Authorities will look into this matter.

Schools that are longing to play hard ball cricket are: Laliambe MV, Hanguranketha, Alagamuwa MV, Nillamba MV, Goodrest MV, Kotmale, Wilgamuwa MV, Teldeniya National School, Pilimatalawa MMV, Kosgana, Mahamaya Girls School, Galagedara MV, Menikdiwela MV, Sivaneshawara Tamil MV, Loglandura Tamil school Kotmale, Wilgamuwa, Welpitiya MV, Walapane, Dandubediruppa MV, Nuwara Eliya, Welhena Polpitiya MV, Wattegama.

Wattegama Balika Vidyalaya team emerged champions – (Standing from left): D.G.G.U. Yaparatne, U.A.C. Bandara, R.A.G.M.M. Abeysekera, N.D.S.H. Nelanthine, S.A.S. Senaratne (Capt), T.G.I. Chathiranganie, R.M.R. Ratnayake, N.S.S. Wijesinghe, P.A.T.S. Palansuriya,
Thamara Weerasena (Teacher-in-Charge). (Squatting from left): D.M.N. Devinda, P.H.U. Peiris, W.M. Epa, D.B.H. Bokalawela (Vice Capt), H.M.S.U. Herath, A.C. Dissanayake. Pic: Upananda Jayasundera – Kandy Sports Special Corr.

The runners-up – Poramadulla Vidyakara Vidyalaya – (Standing - from left): J.M.A.K. Jayasundera (Master-in-Charge), Bathiya Heenkenda (Master-in-Charge), Umega Sachini, Nilmini Madhushani, Maheshi Piumi, Rasika Kumari, Dilshani Sennaratne, Shiromi Champika, Umash Thakshila, Abeyratne Ratnayake (Coach). (Kneeling - from left): Shanika Madupani, Sakunthala Menike, Dinushi Nirmani, Madushani Premaratne, Tharushi Thatsarani. Pic: Upananda Jayasundera – Kandy Sports Special Corr.

Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy - 3rd place – (Squatting - from left): Udara Bandara, Damsara Kularatne, Isuri Alagoda, Himashi Kodituwakku. (Standing – from left): Nishanthi de Silva (Teacher-in-Charge), Kavisha Bandara, Danushika Muhandiram (Capt), Imali Adikari, Dinushi Daluwatte, S. Nawangi, Samadi Ratnayake, Madhsha Ratnayake, Hasangi Tennakoon, Iashani Samarakoon (Vice Capt). Pic: Upananda Jayasundera – Kandy Sports Special Corr.