Moragalla Youth and Thoduwawa Youth bagged the Men’s and Women’s Novices Challenge Trophies respectively in the 30th Tharunasewa – Rupavahini Challenge Trophy tournament.
Women’s Tournament
This tournament took place in the Meegamuwa Jayaraj Fernandopulle Indoor Complex where the final saw Hambantota Hungama Vijayaba SC take on the Puttalam Thoduwawa Youth team in an unpredictable match up as both teams were capable of taking it all.
The first set of the match immediately set a high benchmark as both teams came off with some great rallies therefore tallying up many points for their teams. It was neck and neck up until the last moment when the team from Hambantota snatched two points which allowed them to win the set 24-26.
The second set saw the same intensity as the first since both teams were neck and neck up until the latter stage in which the team from Puttalam spiritedly came back to win the set 26-24.
However, both teams were still at each other’s throats trying to squeeze out every point they could get. This was seen in the third set when Thoduwawa Youth edged it narrowly with a score line of 25-23.
The fourth set saw the team from Hambantota lose its momentum as they were making a few unnecessary mistakes and this proved to be the downfall for the team as the team from Puttalam capitalised and won the set 25-18, which eventually made them winners of the match.
Final Score: Puttalam Thoduwawa Youth SC 24/26, 26/24, 25/23 & 25/18 Hambantota Hungama Vijayaba SC
3rd Place – Ampara Super Kings Youth SC
Special Awards
Best Server – M.P.N. Prabodhini (Thoduwawa Youth SC)
Best Receiver – W.I.J. Fernando (Thoduwawa Youth SC)
Best Setter – U. D. A. Fernando (Thoduwawa Youth SC)
Bet Attacker – W. A. M. R. Kaushalya (Thoduwawa Youth SC)
Best Defender – H. G. S. Lakchani (Vijayaba SC)
Best Libero – A. S. Prabodha (Vijayaba SC)
Men’s Tournament
The men’s final saw Radhavana Golden Birds SC and Moragalla Youth SC pitted against each other at the Maharagama National Youth Services Council Indoor Stadium.
It was neck and neck from the beginning of the first set of this stellar encounter. However, Moragalla Youth SC dug deep in the latter stages and won it 25-23.
The second set saw much of the same neck and neck rallies. However, it was the Moragalla team that, once again, took it all in the second set with a score line of 25-23.
The third set which was thought to be an easy picking for the team from Moragalla, proved to be the hardest and longest in the match. This was because Radhavana Golden Birds SC did not back down one bit as they carried on the set for a long period of time that attempted to fluster their Moragalla counterparts. However, this failed as Moragalla kept it steady and won the third and final set 33-31, therefore winning the match with an enthralling score of 3-0.
Final Score: Moragalla Youth SC 25/23, 25/23 & 33/31 Radhavana Golden Birds SC
3rd Place: Rathnapura Balangoda Youth SC
Special Awards
Best Server – R. M. Chathura Prabuddha (Golden Birds SC)
Best Receiver – Ashen Sumiyuru (Moragalla Youth SC)
Best Setter – Hashan Malaka (Moragalla Youth SC)
Best Attacker – S. Thisura Lakshan (Moragalla Youth SC)
Best Defender – H. Dhanuka Prasanna (Moragalla Youth SC)
Best Libero – L. K. Sahan Chathuranga (Golden Birds SC)
