The Munchee National Volleyball Super League Championships 2016 commenced for the fourth day, and in this instance hosted the semi–finals of the men’s and women’s tournament at the Maharagama National Youth Services Council Indoor Sports Complex.
Youth Services stun CEB; Casual Line ease through
The Super League phase of the Munchee National Volleyball Championship 2016, organized by the Ceylon Biscuits Limited,
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority advanced to the finals in the men’s tournament. Similarly, the women’s tournament saw Air Force and Casual Line SC berthed their place in the finals.
Men’s Super League Semi-Finals
CEB v Air Force
It was all excitement from the get go as the both the teams, especially Air Force with the likes of Pramesh Sudhasinghe, produced some great rallies. However, it was CEB that won the set with a score line of 25 -22.
Air Force eventually found their legs and won the second round 22-25 with a heroic display from their very own Jagath Sangjaya.
However, the new found form of Air Force did not shatter the confidence of CEB as their captain M. Premarathne rallied his men for a comeback in the third round, eventually winning the third set 25-21.
This spirit continued even in the fourth set, thus enabling them to achieve victory, therefore allowing CEB overcome their opponents 3:1, booking their spot in the finals.
Score – 25-22, 22-25, 25-21 & 25-22 (CEB wins 3-1)
Army v Sri Lanka Ports Authority
This match proved to be an absolute victory for the Ports Authority, as they boasted of players such as Janith Surath, and Rumesh Dissanayake that earned many of the points during the course of the match, eventually winning the match 3-0.
It was during the second set that Army came close to winning a point as they brought on their A game against the Ports Authority team. However, it proved to be fruitless as the Ports Authority won the set 23-25 albeit with questionable calls from the officials that were always in favour of the winning team.
Score – 20-25, 23-25 & 22-25 (Ports Authority wins 3-0)
Women’s Super League Semi-Finals
The women’s tournament saw many of the teams from the forces dominate this championship, and this can be justified by looking at the very semi -final matches, which boasted teams such as Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Air Force v Army
This match saw the likes of Ridhmi Sakunthala and captain Dinesha Prasadhini of Air Force pounce over their counterparts, by winning all three sets with ease. The second set was the somewhat tougher of the three.
Score – 25-16, 25-23 & 25-17 (Air Force wins 3-0)
Navy v Casual Line SC
This too proved to be a one – sided affair as Casual Line sports club dominated over the Navy team with the likes of Thakshila Madhurangi and Savini Nimanthika, as they earned many of the points in the three sets played, therefore achieving a score line of 3:0 earning them the lucrative berth for the finals.
Score – 21-25, 15-25 & 20-20 (Casual Line wins 3-0)
The third place matches would be played today (15) at the Maharagama National Youth Services Council Indoor Sports Complex.
