Devapathiraja, Rathgama has shown immense improvement in all age groups

Devapathiraja College, Rathgama, the winners of the 4th Singer Under 19 Girls cricket championship last week at the Wesley College Grounds is a school that has shown immense improvements in all age groups both in Boys and Girls.

Devapathiraja girls has been playing in all the finals since its inception and carries the credit in becoming champs in three occasions out of the four finals they competed. Led by an inspiring leader in Sathya Sandeepani the lasses from Rathgama dominated the tournament in every department to remain unbeaten champs.

Not only the girls’ team, the boys’ teams from Under 13 to First XI this Southern City cricketers are riding high in the inter schools arena and will be a school to be reckon in the near future. Rathgama girls who sailed to the finals smoothly were expected to have a tough fight from last year’s runner-up Anula. Devapathiraja playing a different game had the Anulians at bay to beat them easily by eight wickets with ten balls to spare. Dominating the game in all three departments the lasses from the south completely outplayed the Colombo school lasses using well planned strategies.

A jubilant skipper Sathya Sandeepani speaking to the Education Times said that every member of her team is delighted over this victory. We have played in four finals and emerged champs on three occasions and finished runner-up in their first appearance. She also said this is the result of hard practice and unity. We play as one unit and before I take a decision I use to consult my senior players. Our coach Mahesh sir use to point out any mistakes and always advices to take a correct decision at the correct time.

She thanked the school authorities, the parents and the boys’ teams for helping the team to be a champion outfit and finally she said that her main target is to represent Sri Lanka and bring glory to the motherland and her alma mater.

Mahesh Sandaruwan the coach said that he very happy over this victory as this is the third time that he is involved with this very talented outfit. The reason behind this victory is hard practice, interest, sacrifice and unity. As Devapathiraja is a mixed school the girls get a chance to practice with the boys and that experience had helped them a long way. This honest set of girls use to come to me and ask if they make a mistake. He is confident that at least five or six girls from this team will go a long way to don the national blazer in the future.

– Lakshman Ranasinghe; Pix Amila Gamage