Hillwood girls clinch CP netball crown

S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Hillwood Girls College stunned Girls High School, Kandy with a thrilling 17-13 win to emerge Central Province under 17 netball champions in the tournament organized by the Education Ministry and the finals played in Kandy yesterday. At half him the Hillwoodians led 5-4.

Playing a Major role in this win was their tall and well built goal shooter Kaveena Rajapakse and height of over six feet towered above others and did well in collecting passes though the Girls High School players tried their best to have a check on her movements.

Kaveena Rajapaksa accounted for all the points scored by Hillwood College. She was well supported by goal attacker Nethmini Mandanayake who directed her passes accurately. Also playing well for the winners were skipper and centre Kavindya Gunatillake and wing difender Amandi Tissera.

For Girls High School, goal shooter Chamodhi Senaviratne (9) and goal attacker Amithara Wickremasinghe (4) scored the points.

Earlier in the semi-finals Hillwood Girls College beat Mahamaya Girls College 30-20 and Girls High School beat Wijayapala Vidyalaya, Matale 27-7.

Hillwood Girls College was the only unbeaten team in the tournament and they registered good wins over Deltapura Vidyalaya 23-7, and Teldeniya National School 24-1. In the quarter – finals they beat Sangamitha Balika Vidyalya 21-6.

The Hillwoodians though not winning zonal championship hit back strongly in the more important Central Province Championship. They are coached by Aruni Hema Kumari.