Maliyadeva girls best for a third time

 The overall A Division champions Maliyadeva BV Kurunegala

By M. Shamil Amit

Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya Kurunegala became the overall champions of the 32nd All Island Milo Netball Championship which concluded at the Maligapitiya ground in Kurunegala and in the process bagged the title for the third successive year.

It was almost a repeat of their last year’s title win as the champion Maliyadeva girls’ team triumphed. Unlike last year when they won three out of three age group titles, this year they were able to come out on top in two age groups of Under-15 defeating Siri Piyaratana MMV Padukka and the Under-19 by brushing aside the challenge of hometown rivals Holy Family Convent.

Maliyadeva underwent a defeat in the Under 13 age group to Siri Piyaratana MMV Padukka but it was sufficient for them to emerge champions for the third successive year. 

Musaeus College came out winners in the Under 17 group when they overcame Hillwood College Kandy.

Maliyadeva apart from emerging the champion team had two of their players being adjudged the best with Chenumi de Silva in the Under 15 and Thumalka Ekanayake in the Under 19 groups while Ahasi Sanduli of Siri Piyaratana and Shiwangi Samarawickrama of Musaeus College were the best in the Under 13 and Under 17 age groups.

Results:
Semi Finals:

Under 13 – Tissa MMV Kalutara beat Musaeus College 13/6
Maliyadeva BV Kurunegala beat Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda 18/4
Under 15 – Siri Piyaratana Padukka beat Hillwood College Kandy 16/13 Maliyadeva BV Kurunegala beat Gothami BV Colombo 20/9

Under 17 – Musaeus College Colombo beat Good Shepherd Convent Kandy 23/16
Hillwood College Kandy beat Visakha Vidyalaya
Under 19 – Maliyadeva BV Kurunegala beat Holy Family Convent Kalutara 37/16 Holy Family Convent Kurunegala beat Musaeus College 2017

Finals:
Under 13 – Tissa MMV Kalutara beat Maliyadeva BV Kurunegala 11/10
Under 15 – Maliyadeva BV beat Siri Piyaratana 23/10 
Under 17 – Musaeus College beat Hillwood College Kandy 20/16 
Under 19 – Maliyadeva BV beat Holy Family Convent Kurunegala 39/27