Otters, Track masters Cager champions

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

BASKETBALL: Otters `White’ and Track Masters `Blue’ were the men’s and women’s champions at the YMCA Inter Club Basketball Championships concluded at the YMCA courts Dehiwala, yesterday evening. This two day event was organised by the YMCA Dehiwala saw a number of leading cager taking part.

In the men’s final Otters white’ teams beat Colombo Basketball Club `A’ by 26 points to 23. The former were ahead with 11 points to 9 at the breather. Rizan Yosuf and Vijaya Basker with 7 points apiece stood out for the winners while the national player Roshan Randima was on target with nine points for the losers.

The winning team comprised Gayan Meedeniya, Isuru Perera, Rizan Yosuf, Vijaya Basker, Diluk Hemantha, Shanaka Perera and M.K. Shiran.

In the women’s final Track Masters `Blue’ defeated Track Masters `Red’ by 17 points to 9 after leading 11 points to 6 lead at the half time. Sri Lanka national skipper Kumarine Silva and Aduni Munasinghe were the chief scorers for the winners scoring 12 points each. Belica Thalagala top scored for the Red team with 14 points.

The Track Masters `Blue’ team was represented by Premila Fernando, Prasadi Fonseka, Senali Weerasooriya, Hermion Silva, and Solangi Gunawijaya.

Before reaching the final Otters White overwhelmed All Green Cager Club `B’ by 28 points to 9. The half time scores read 22-7 leading with points.

Isuru Perera with eight and M.K. Sihan with six points were the best shooters for Otters while Isthaf Nizar with five points was the only scorer for the losers.

In the other semi final Colombo Basketball Club `A’ team edged out Colombo Basketball Club `B’ team by 39 points to 34 to secure their place in the final.

At half time scores stood at 22 - 19 with the winners dominating the proceedings. Sri Lanka national skipper Jagath Kulatunga who scored 12 points piled up the points for the winners who was ably helped by Roshan Randima and Chamath Danawansa scoring 10 points each. For the `B’ team Prasanna Hewage (12) and Chathura Rodrigo (10) were the main scorers.

In the men’s consolation final Colombo Basketball Club `B’ beat All Green Cager club by 33 points to 22 after leading a 15 points to 11 at the breather.

For Colombo `B’ again Chathura Rodrigo (18) and Chaminda Jayasiri 8 were the best scorers while Isthaf Nizar and Rushdi Nizan added 11 and 8 points respectively for the losers.

In the women’s consolation final Josephian’s Cagers, Nugegoda beat University of Moratuwa by 29 points to 11. The former were ahead with 19 points to 6 at the half time.

Dewni Kaushalya top scored with 14 points for Josephians while I.R.L. Perera scored six points for the losers.