Panadura Balika Under-18 hockey team led by Tharindi Kaushalya arose Joint Plate champions with Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa, as the final had to be called off due to bad weather at the Girls All Island Hockey Championship tournament, organised and conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, played at the Albert Peiris Stadium Wennappuwa recently.
The players from the start were guided by Randika Prasad, a famous hockey player turned reputed coach produced by Prince of Wales College Moratuwa.
In their league matches, Panadura Balika beat President’s College, Nawala by a solitary goal to nil, tired Ratnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha by seven goals to nil, drew with Southlands College, Galle nil all and St. Anthony’s Balika, Kandy nil all.
Emerging as the leaders in their group and qualifying to the quarterfinal of the Cup Championship, beat Christ Church College, Matale on penalty strokes (1/0) after the game finished in a thrilling draw.
Panadura Balika custodian, Gihansa Nimthaki was the architect saving all the five strokes taken by the opponents, whilst Naduni Deshani scored the winning stroke for Panadura Balika.
Qualifying for the semifinal, they misplaced to Sri Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Matale by two goals to nil.
Qualifying to the Plate Championship, both teams were declared as joint champions due to bad weather.
Principal, Shani Subasinghe has to be delighted of her students’ performances and also the support and cooperation of the Teacher in Charge, Surangi Perera, Vice Principal, Jagath Thisera and sports instructress Thilini Perera, has helped Panadura Balika to come to the top in girls’ hockey sphere among other leading schools in the Island.
The Panadura Balika MV Under-18 hockey team:
Back row (from left): Udansha Wethmi, Chithuli Dinara, Sethumli Kinara, Yuwani Kaushali, Lisandi Upethma, Gihansa Nimtheki, Janidi Savinga, Thenumi Nesakya, Isumi Ananya, Naduni Deshani, Nuwani Sanchitha, Methuli Liyansa
Seated (from left): Surangi Perera (Teacher in Charge), Rangika Prasad (coach), Tharindi Kaushalya (captain), Shani Iresha Subasinghe (Principal), Thilini Perera (sports Instructor), Dahamlee Disanya (vice captain), Jagath Kaushal Thisera (Vice Principal)
Front row (from left): Seyara Dinenthi, Denuki Chanchalee, Hiruki Dehansa, Shenoli Dimasha, Thanugi Nethulima, Niyumi Suhansa
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