Kandy hold edge over CR

Defending League and Clifford Cup rugby champions Kandy will play CR&FC in their first semifinal of the Clifford Cup rugby knockout tournament at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium today. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 4.15 p.m. 

Kandy, under Roshan Weeraratne, will be fielding a full-strength team and will be taking no chances as this will be a battle neither team wants to lose. Kandy dished out cohesive rugby in the second round after some shocking defeats in the first round to Navy and Air Force. They have the best three-quarter line-up and have lightning pace. Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala and Vishwamithra Jayasinghe are all at their peak. Fullback Thilina Wijesinghe too chipped in with top-class rugby. Kandy’s forwards are also no pushovers. They have mobile players such as Damith Dissnayake, Sayuru Anthony and Yakoob Ali. On the other hand CR will be heavily dependent on Shashan Mohamed, Omalka Gunaratne, Ishan Noor, Prince Chamara and Tariq Salih. 

A French referee is expected to work this game. If Kandy wins the final will be played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 26 February. 

Kandy has won the Clifford Cup a record 19 times, including a consecutive period of 10 years between 1995 and 2005 (the competition was not held in 1998) and six consecutive years between 2007 and 2012. In 2006, Kandy and Navy both withdrew from the tournament (Kandy due to a dispute over ground allocation and Navy as their members were called up for national service duty). 

CR&FC have won 14 times, including a tie with Dimbulla ACC, Havelock 13 times, including a tie with Police, Police eight times with ties against Havelock and Army, CH&FC seven times, Dimbulla A & CC twice including a tie with CR&FC, Army twice with one tie with Police, while Air Force and Navy have only won the cup once.(SJ)