FLOWER ROAD, Colombo: (ePRESS) – Ladies’ College, Flower Road, outplayed their traditional rivals, Girls’ High School, Kandy, securing a hard-fought 32-26 victory to claim the Gwen Opie Memorial Challenge Shield at their home ground.
It was a landmark clash between two institutions that pioneered school netball in then-Ceylon 100 years ago, making this encounter more than just a game—it was a battle of legacy and pride.
Ladies’ College captain Adhithi Gunasekara won the toss and led her team to an early 9-7 lead in the first quarter. With both teams stepping onto the court with steely determination, the margin remained narrow, setting the stage for an intense contest.
The second quarter saw a shift in tempo, as both teams struggled to break through defensive walls. It was a game of patience and precision, with neither side willing to let the other run away with the advantage. Girls’ High School Kandy’s captain Thenali Hewage was instrumental in keeping her team in the hunt, ensuring the deficit never grew beyond two goals. By halftime, the scoreboard read 16-15, with Ladies’ College still holding a slender lead.
The Flower Road outfit began to stretch their lead for the first time in the third quarter, racing to a 21-17 advantage midway through the period. However, Girls’ High School clawed their way back, narrowing the gap to 22-20 before Ladies’ College regained control to end the quarter at 23-20.
The decisive fourth quarter turned into a test of endurance and composure. With the game hanging in the balance, Ladies’ College found an extra gear, showcasing superior stamina and tactical discipline. They netted nine goals in quick succession, leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard confirmed their 32-26 triumph, sealing a historic victory in the centenary encounter.
Despite fielding a squad with only two senior players, including goalkeeper and last year’s captain Sitharah Zuhair, Ladies’ College excelled. The rest of the team was composed of Under-17 and Under-18 players.
The Guest of Honour for the event was Thamara Dharmakeerthi Herath, a distinguished alumna of Ladies’ College and a dual national-level athlete in hockey and netball. A decorated sports administrator, she made history as the first Sri Lankan to serve as President of the Asian Netball Federation.
In the individual awards, Ladies’ College’s Tyra Jayaratne emerged as the highest goal scorer of the match, earning the Best Shooter title. Vice-captain Tasara Fernando was recognized as the Best Defensive Player, excelling in the backcourt. For Girls’ High School Kandy, captain Thenali Hewage was awarded the Best Center Court Player for her exceptional playmaking and leadership.
As the final whistle echoed through the grounds of Flower Road, the centenary encounter lived up to its billing—a celebration of tradition, rivalry, and the indomitable spirit of school netball. Ladies’ College may have walked away with the trophy, but the true winner was the game itself, as both teams honoured a century-old legacy with a performance to remember.
Back row (L to R) – Ms. Tekla Priyadarshani (Head coach), Ms. Malithi Paranagamage (teacher in charge), Ms. Deepika Dassanaike (Principal), Adhithi Gunasekera (Captain), Ms Tamara Dharmakirti-Herath (Chief guest), Ms Ranmalee Balasooriya (Vice-principal), Ms Dilko Samaranayake (Sports consultant), Ms Sandeepa Wijayanthi (Sports coordinator), Ms Sanduni Bollegala (Assistant coach)
