Sri Lanka registers first win over Lincoln University in netball friendly series

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka national netball team recorded its first victory in the six-match international friendly series against the touring Lincoln University of New Zealand team, edging the visitors 56-55 in a thrilling fourth match played at the Digana Indoor Stadium in Kandy on Saturday (July 4).

After suffering three consecutive defeats, Sri Lanka produced a spirited comeback to secure a one-point victory. The hosts lost the opening quarter 16-12 before bouncing back to win the second and third quarters 15-13 and 15-12, respectively. The final quarter ended level at 14-14, allowing Sri Lanka to clinch the match by the narrowest of margins.

The victory marked a significant improvement for the Sri Lankan side, which had not played an international match since the 2024 Asian Senior Netball Championship in Bangalore. The team has shown steady progress with each game of the series.

Sri Lanka had lost the opening three matches by scores of 62-54, 72-55, and 68-53, leaving Lincoln University with a 3-1 lead after four matches.

The fifth match of the series is scheduled to be played at 3.00 p.m. on July 7 at the University of Kelaniya Indoor Stadium, while the sixth and final match will take place at 9.00 a.m. on July 9 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.

The series has been organised by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) to provide the national squad with valuable international exposure ahead of the 14th Asian Senior Netball Championship, which will be held in Hong Kong from August 6 to 15.