HNB win extra-time thriller to emerge netball champions

 Champion HNB team

Netball Queen Malmi Hettiarachchi 

By Susil Premalal

Hatton National Bank (HNB) defeated Sri Lanka Air Force SC in a thrilling final 49-47 to emerge champions at the Dialog Nationals (Senior) Netball Championship.

The tournament was conducted by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) at Digana Sports Complex in Kandy.

The scores in the final were tied 39-39 at the end of regular time. After 14 minutes of extra time (seven minutes each half) were played according to international rules, Air Force got eight points and HNB 10 points to win the nerve-tingling final.

At the first quarter HNB score was 9-10, second quarter 13-9  the third quarter ended 11-9 while the forth quater was 6-11 during normal time.The total was 39 for  each team. 

This is the first time in netball history that the finals of the National Championship was tied while HNB have won the championship on every occasion except twice, according to NFSL secretary Kumudini Gomes.
In the semifinals, HNB beat Kurunegala DNA (45-17)while Air Force beat Army 41-36.

Army won the third place play-off against Kurunegala DNA (68-44).

HNB’s Malmi Hettiarachchi was adjudged the Netball Queen.

Best performance 
Best Defender:- Chathurangi Jayasooriya (Air Force)
Best Center court player:- Gayanjali Amarawansa (HNB)
Best Shooter:- Darshika Abewickrama (HNB)