Ladies College will be put to the test this Friday 16th October when they meet Visakha Vidyalaya for the M. N. Edisooriya Annial Water polo clash at the Police Pool Complex.
The jubilant Visakha Vidyalaya has been a front-runner in the water polo arena over past few years and has had the privilege of retaining the coveted trophy for the last five years. It was LC’ite Enakshi Wickremanayake’s water polo team that brought the coveted trophy to Flower roadway back in 2010 when Ladies College water polo was at its highest peak.
The past few years have been Visakha’s golden years in the sport winning the Edisooriya trophy for the past five years and dominating the public schools championships. Visakhians won last year’s encounter 9-7despite a determined comeback by the Ladies in the second half and lead the overall tally 7-3 with the first encounter ending as a draw. At the end of 2010, it was the Ladies who had the upper hand in the tally leading 3-2 but the last five years have been magnificent for their opponents.
Experienced Visakhian outfit
An experience filled Visakhian team will take on the Police Park swimming pool led by Shaleena Peiris. The departure of their former captains Limashi Kosgodage (2012) and Aneeka Abeywickrema has not affected the side’s stronghold, as the team comprises of Maneka Dedigama and also Tusari Ekanayaka who was the victorious skipper in the year 2013. Alongside the trio will be Saamakhya Gajanayaka and Nuwanthie Mannaperuma; players who have been a regular in this team for the last three years.
The Ladies will have a daunting task ahead as they will be battling out not only the physical factor but also experience. In their defense Ladies team comprises of over seven players who have been regulars in the squad for over two seasons. Shanelle will have her last year’s skipper Nidheesha Ellawala to aid her attack while experienced Lara Modder will play another stint as prop for the side. Anoushka Tissera and Sashi Weerawansa were the dominant force behind last year’s fighting comeback huddling in points in the last quarter will be their key players going into this year’s game. The Ladies will have to depend on their freshers during the breaks and try their luck with them if they intend to create an upset.
The Ladies will have to meter out their strategies straight when they meet the Visakhians if they plan on creating an upset. Though Visakha seems the top dog, the possibilities is a fierce battle where the Ladies will give it their all to reverse the course.
Catch the intense battle as it happens from the Police Park Swimming complex on Friday the 16th of October 4.00 p.m. onwards live on ThePapare.com.
Visakha Vidyalaya squad:
Shaleena Peiris (c) (Bar) – Nadishka Senanayake (vc) (Bar) – Nuravi Assalarachchi (Wing) – Damithri Munasinghe (Wing) – Binari Perera (Wing) – Bulani Perera (Bar) – Sanuri Trikawalagoda (Wing) – Chamathi Perera (Wing) – Avishka Dedigama (Bar) – Maneka Dedigama (Goalkeeper) – Nuwanthi Mannapperuma (Wing) – Tusari Ekanayake (Center) – Samaakhya Gajanayake (Goalkeeper)
Ladies College squad:
Shanelle Wikramanayaka (C) (wing), Sashi Weerawarana (Bar), Lara Modder (Prop), Nidheesha Ellawala (Wing), Anoushka Tissera (Bar), Ashmeeta Cooray (Goalkeeper), Shenara David (Bar), Dunyasha Hewagama (Wing) , Suhashana Wijayaratna (Goalkeeper), Nimashi De Silva (Bar), Anieka Varia (Goalkeeper), Rheanna David (Prop), Kanchana Swaminathan (Wing)
