The U22 finals of the Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship were held at the Maharagama Youth Centre Indoor Complex today with Davismara Sports Club and Casual Line grabbing the Men’s & Women’s titles respectively.
U22 Girls
Eheliyagoda Dharmapala Sports Club and Casual Line made the finals after defeating Boyagama Siriparakum Sports Club and Golden Birds Sports Club respectively.
The match was the morning fixture for the day’s proceedings and kicked off with Casual Line engaging in their usual dominant style to grab a comfortable first game 25-13.
The second game was a different story altogether however as Dharmapala Sports Club fought back with Nirmani Sulochana taking charge to give her side the set at 20-25.
Casual Line bounced back from that set-back to storm in, taking the third set 25-12.
The fourth set was far more competitive than the third with Dharmapala Sports Club pushing Casual Line to the edge, but it was the lasses from Casual Line who managed to take the set and the match 25-18.
Sanduni Dineshika and Nirmani Sulochana had an excellent game for the Eheliyagoda side while Anurisha Chathuni and Chaya Sanjeewani were influential for the winners.
“We’re delighted! Our attacking players did well to get past their blocks and we intend to work towards winning the next few games too”, said an excited Chaya Sanjeewani to ThePapare.com.
Final Result – Casual Line vs Eheliyagoda Dharmapala SC 25-14, 20-25, 25-12 & 25-18
Special Awards
Best Setter – Sanjeewani Wickramasinghe (Casual Line)
Best Attacker – Nirmani Sulochana (Eheliyagoda Dharamapala)
Best Player – Anurisha Chathuni (Casual Line)
Photos: U22 Finals – Dialog President’s Gold Cup 2016
Photos of the U22 Finals – Dialog President’s Gold Cup 2016
U22 Boys
Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Sports Club and Seeduwa Davisamara Sports Club made the final of the tournament after defeating the Combined Chilaw side and Hungama Vijayaba Sports Club respectively.
The first set started off in competitive fashion with a number of rallies being seen. Both sides were at 20 points apiece at one point but it was the Ruwanwella side who drew first blood with a score-line of 25-23.
Davisamara Sports Club came back into the game in the second set by storming into an early 14-09 lead. With a little help from Ayesha Perera’s blocks, the Seeduwa side managed to take the game 25-25.
The third set was more of the same with Davismara SC taking an early 5 point lead. The Ruwanwella side tried to get onto the offensive to close the deficit but ended up conceding more points as well as the set, 25-12.
Davismara SC then claimed the fourth and final set as well as the title thanks to some beautiful play from Rohan Madushanka and Isuru Madushanka. Even though Rajasinghe Sports Club did offer resistance, Davismara SC held their nerve to win 25-19.
“Delighted. Must also be thankful to Coach Chaminda Lakshman as well as Assistant Coach Damith Sanjaya. To beat a tough side like Ruwanwella is a feat and we are happy”, said a beaming Davisamara SC skipper.
Final Result – Ruwanwella Rajasinghe SC 25-23, 15-25, 12-25, 19-25 Seeduwa Davisamara SC
Special Awards
Best Setter – Danushka Dilshan (Davisamara SC)
Best Attacker – Rohan Madushanka (Davisamara SC)
Best Player – Ayesh Perera (Davismara SC)
