Dialog Inter Club Rugby league 2017/2018

Thursday, 1 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Dialog Inter Club Rugby League 2017/2018 will reach its second to last week of matches with the second spot being battled for between the Sailors and Havies. Havies did really well up to the Cops game, where they lost focus with the game ending in a 30 a piece draw. Sailors, playing well this season, lost their focus too when they were grounded by Kandy at Welisara last week-end. These two incidents will lead to a good game of rugby when these two outfits battle it out for supremacy.

CH and Police should be a close encounter

High riding CH & FC outfit, after their magnificent performance in the second round, will be playing the Police outfit, who are booming with confidence after their two good performances against the Havies and victory against Air Force. Police are now one slot higher in the league than Air Force. CH, playing outstanding rugby through Lee Keegale, Sathya Ranathunge, Yoshitha Rajapakse and Sajith Saranga, are a different unit after the arrival of their Coach, Ronny Ibrahim. While Cops too are enjoying their fine moments, the Havies and Air Force outfits will be no push-over. Sandesh Abeywickrema, Lantra and national player, Wajeed Fahmy need to be on top for the Cops. On form CH should have things their way.

Another close tussle expected at Air Force vs. CR encounter

CR will hold a slight edge over the Air Force outfit after their last win and confidence gained in their Havies game. Once again, CR are yet to deliver to the expected standard. They have some big names such as Omalka Gunaratne, Tharinda Ratwatte, Shashan Mohamed and Reza Rafaideen, all national players. They will need to click as a unit - after spending so much into their rugby at Longdon Place, the return is not sufficient this season. Meanwhile the Air Force outfit will depend heavily on Charith Seneviratne.

Battle for second spot

Both the Sailors and Havies outfits will battle it out in a tough outing to secure number 2 position in the League. This will not only boost their moral but also avoid the defending League and Clifford Cup champions till they meet in the Cup final of the knock-out tournament. Martis will be under pressure to perform well. Sharo Fernando, Nishon Perera, Dulaj Perera, Kevin Dixon and Sandun Herath, all his products at the Peterite outfit where he previously coached. Navy will depend heavily on Thilina Weerasinghe's kicking boots. Skipper Dhanushka Perera, Dulnajan Wijesinghe and Buddhima Piyaratne all need to get pumped up for this big occasion. A close game is expected but there could turn out to be no favourites at this outing.

One-way traffic for Kandy

Defending champion, Kandy Sports Club should have things their own way when they travel to down to Colombo for one last time this season to lock horns with the Soldiers. Kandy, displaying quality running rugby by their three-quarters, are unbeatable this season; this should be another pile up of points for the Up-Country lads. Fazil, Ranjan, Richard, Lavanga, Nigel, Thilina, Yakoob Ali and Sayuru Anthony all being in their peak, a bonus point win is on the card for the Kandy team. Meanwhile the Soldiers, who lost focus in round 2, will need to re-group for the Clifford Cup knock-out punch. Ashoka Jayalal, Rizvi, Senanayake and Gayan Salinda will need to be at their top in order to contain the fast-moving Kandy outfit.