Seylan and Sampath Banks win shuttle titles

Dilanka Mannakara

Pre tournament favourites Seylan Bank was crowned as the champions of the 27th annual Mercantile Championship which was worked off at St Thomas’ Indoor stadium yesterday. The two runners-up were Mclarens and HNB.

Seylan Bank clinched the men’s A Division Championship as they dominated the entire final by beating HNB. Niluka Karunarathne of Seylan once again proved that he is the undisputed champion as he beat Hashan Anuruddha in the singles final and also won the Best Player in the A Division. Niluka and Diluka Karunarathne displayed some fine attacking shots and were engaged in several intense rallies as they downed Dinuka Karunarathne and Harsha Anuruddha of HNB 21/16, 21/16 in a closely fought game.

Sampath Bank won the women’s ‘A’ division finals but they had to fight hard against a strong Seylan team. The pick of the games was the women’s doubles as top shuttler Thilini Jayasinghe and Tharanga of Seylan had to battle it out against veteran Chandrika De Silva and Nimalika Karunasinghe. The large crowd gathered was thrilled by the uncertainty of the game as it went down to the wire. Finally Thilini and Tharanga managed to win 21/8, 10/21 and 21/19. Thilini Jayasinghe of Seylan was adjudged the Best Player in the women’s A division.