Western Province continued their supremacy in the 42nd National Sports Festival as they battled through to the men’s and women’s volleyball championships at the Gallella National Sports Indoor Stadium in Polonnaruwa.
Men’s Championship
Western Province defeated Sabaragamuwa Province in four sets; 25-16, 22-25, 25-18 & 25-23 to win the championship.
After an easy 1st set win for Western, it was the Sabaragamuwa lads who roared to a 2nd set win to even things up. However the champions recovered to win the next two sets, even though the 4th set was a close encounter.
In the semi-finals Sabaragamuwa Province had a close straight sets win, 27-25, 27-25 & 25-17, against North Western Province while Western Province too had a straight sets win, 25-15, 25-21 & 25-21, though it was a relatively easy one against North Central Province.
Women’s Championship
In the women’s championship, Western Province was stretched to the maximum by North Western Province but ultimately prevailed in a thrilling five sets; 26-24, 25-23, 23-25, 15-25 & 15-11.
Western Province grabbed the first two sets but with the championship on the line North Western bounced back to win the 3rd set and outplayed the eventual champs in the 4th set.
However in the deciding set Western Province recovered from the horror 4th set to win 15-11 and with it the championship.
In the 3rd place match Sabaragamuwa defeated Southern Province 25-21, 25-15 & 25-21.
Western Province strolled through to the final defeating Southern Province 25-21, 25-12 & 25-16 while North Western Province did the same against Sabaragamuwa Province, 25-15, 25-14 & 25-16.
Men’s Results
Quarter final qualifier
Southern Province (21-25, 25-21, 25-20 & 26-24) Uva Province
Quarter Finals
Western Province (25-10, 25-13 & 25-14) Central Province
North Central Province (25-22, 25-20 & 25-22) Southern Province
North Western Province (25-15, 25-16 & 25-16) Northern Province
Sabaragamuwa Province (25-17, 25-17 & 25-23) Eastern Province
Women’s Results
Quarter final qualifier
Sabaragamuwa Province (25-13, 23-25, 28-26 & 25-23) Eastern Province
Quarter Finals
North Western Province (25-07, 25-12 & 25-13) Uva Province
Sabaragamuwa Province (25-17, 25-23, 20-25 & 25-11) North Central Province
Southern Province (25-07, 25-16 & 25-06) Northern Province
Western Province (25-10, 25-05 & 25-09) Central Province
