Can Kandy continue winning streak in round 2?

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending League and Clifford Cup champions Kandy SC will get some tough opposition from Havies, CH & FC and CR & FC in the Round 2 encounter, which will all be played in Colombo. A daunting task for the Up Country outfit to travel down to Colombo three times in tandem, but they have done this for over two decades while ending on the winning side. They started their league win in 1994 under dashing winger Indrajith Bandaranayake, and

Kandy SC's Dhanushka Ranjan could split any defense in to pieces

have accumulated their trophies in Kandy on no less than 19 occasions, while taking custody of the Clifford Cup for the first time under famed Antonian rugby player Maurice Johachim in 1992. Until 1992, Kandy had never won a trophy although the Club was in existence for over 100 years. It was former Royal Scrum Half and President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Malik Samarawickrama who in opening his garment factories in Kandy provided employment for many rugby players, which prompted many players to shift to the central hills.

 

Havies to continue winning form

Havelock Sports Club will be all out to start their Round 2 on a winning note when they confront 7th placed Army. The Park Club, under the guidance of veteran coach Sanath Martis, have done well in the first round, only losing out to Kandy SC up in the Hills. They have some outstanding players in their starting line-up: Sharo Fernando, Reza Mubarak, Mithun Hapugoda, Dushmantha Priyadharshana and Chamara Dabare all are top class players serving the Park Club. The Soldiers will heavily depend on Mohamed Rizvi, Ashoka Jayalal, and Gayan Salinda, and having ended Round 1 on a disappointing note will be firing all cylinders to overcome their many shock defeats in order to climb up the rankings.

Referee - Rohan Fernando

 

Kokila to be remembered in Cops game

CR will remember their prop forward, Kokila Sammandapperuma, who lost his life last weekend in a tragic accident.

CR ended Round 1 on number 3, losing out to Kandy and their traditional rivals Havies. They have got the best combination of youth as well as experience. Omalka Gunaratne, Tharinda Ratwatte and Randy Silva have stood out for the Red Shirts in Round 1. The kicking form of Tharinda Ratwatte will be very vital for the Longdon Place club in Round 2. They cannot afford to lose any games if they want to bring the Cup home, but it will be a daunting task for them under watchful Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim.

 

Referee - Priyantha Gunaratne CH in a tough battle

CH & FC will need to put in their full effort when they lock horns with the Sailors at home. CH & FC, while individually the best set of players, failed to click as a unit under their Head Coach, Ronny Ibrahim. They ended Round 1 on number 4 while the Sailors were not too far sitting on number 5.

The major worry for CH was their fitness level, and playing Samuel Maduwantha at full back was a real waste, as he hardly got the ball to attack and gain the much needed territory advantage to put pressure on the visiting teams. Muthuthanthri, Sooriyarachchi, Hirantha and Yoshitha stood out for them. Maduwantha’s kicking was not at his peak, where he is capable of being on the top with the other two in club circuit, Thilina Weerasinghe (Navy SC) and Thilina Wijesinghe (Kandy SC).

Sailors will heavily depend on Saliya Hadapangoda, Dinusha Chathuranga, Buddhima Piyaratne and Thllina Weerasinghe. Thilina’s kicking needs to be at top.Referee - Dinka Peiris

 

Kandy to continue winning streak in the Hills

Defending champions Kandy SC should not have any difficulty when they confront Air Force at Nittawela. Kandy could be hardly troubled at home, and should end up with winning with a bonus point to start their Round 2.

Buwanka Udangamuwa, Sehan Pathirana, Heshan Kalhara, Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Yakoob Ali and Thilina Wijesinghe all lived up to their top expectation for the only Up country club.

Air Force will need to defend most part of this game will be expecting a lot from Iddamalgoda, Seneviratne and Seelagama.

Referee - Priya Suranga