Maris Stella College, Negombo narrowly defeated Royal College, Colombo to top Group A and qualify for the finals of the 14th Henry Senaratne Memorial Volleyball tournament held at De Mazenod College Volleyball Courts.
With last year’s runners-up Rajasinghe MMV, Hanwella, Kirindiwela MMV and Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala failing to attend due to year end exams, the Group A battles were fought between Maris Stella, Royal and Bandaranayake MMV, Veyangoda.
Royal College strolled past Bandaranayake MMV to win 25-18 & 25-16 with ease.
The 2016 Western Province Champions Maris Stella however faced a tough challenge from the Veyangoda lads, barely making it through, with 25-21 point wins in both sets.
With one win each up their sleeve, Maris Stella and Royal faced each other for the tie-breaker of the day.
In the five set decider, the Negombo boys steamrolled through the first two sets 25-18 & 25-14 showcasing their prowess. But the tables turned in favour of Royal College in the 3rd set where a point-for-point battle took place with Royal finally breaking away in the twenties to grab the set 25-22.
With Ashan Sanjula’s fingertips working the magic for them the Reid Avenue boys shocked the Provincial champs winning a rather lengthy and closely contested 4th set 27 to 25.
The 5th set also proved to be quite tough for the first 10 points but Tharusha Malinda turned the game around securing the set and match as Maris Stella moved onto the finals 15-10.
The 3rd place honours were granted to Royal College as their opponents Nalanda College, Colombo gave away a walkover.
The final of the tournament will take place between hosts De Mazenod College, Kandana and Maris Stella College, Negombo in January next year.
