Wattala BC beat Maldivians in a thriller

Thushan Jayasuriya

Wattala Sports Club emerged victorious when they trounced Red Line Sports Club (RLSC) from Maldives by 58 points to 56 after a thriller in their Carlton Cup 2012 match played at Henry Pedris Courts yesterday .

This would be the first time that an overseas club team would be competing at a Sri Lankan tournament.

Both teams entered the game with a steady start and challenged each other to take the lead. However, Wattala Sports Club managed to maintain the lead with a superb teamwork.

The teams strived hard to score points at every opportunities. So, a keen tussle was witnessed throughout the match and it was 27 - 25 and the lads from Wattala were leading at half time.

In the third and final quarters, Wattala Sports Club came up with a much organized manner. The players from Red Line Sports Clu seemed to be bit nervous of the terrific play of Wattala SC. The ding-dong battle between the two teams continued in the latter parts of the match.

The slight drizzle turned the condition bit harder for Maldivians.

After some hard efforts , Wattala SC took the maximum advantage out of the situatuation and tamed gallant Red Line Sports Club.

Excellent team work and home advantage lead to the success of the Wattala lads. And the opportunities to make in roads for the Red Line Club was reduced due to the strong defence by Wattala lads.

For the winners, Kevin Vivakshan contribured with 11 points while Jeevan Priyankara, Niroshan Dhanushka and N.Halaaldeen contributed with 10 points each.

Ahamed Najeel (20 points), Ahamed Afsan (16 points) and Ismail Dildahn (10 points) were the highest scorers for the losers.

Meanwhile , HSC Blacks beat Sri Lanka Police by 66 points to 59 in the match played at the same venue on Tuesday. At half time the scores read 34 - 24 in favour of the HSC Blacks.

Rashmika Laurence who scored 12 points was the highest scorer for HSC Blacks . For the Policemen K.S.Sujeewa and N.Indika contributed with 12 points each.