Exciting contest this weekend in Inter-Club Rugby League 2019/2020

 Havies will badly need a win against Kandy to avoid fourth position

• Battle for number two at Police Park

By Shamseer Jaleel

The game between Police and CR & FC will be full of interest as this encounter will very likely decide the number two team in the league tournament. The yard stick will be used for the Clifford Cup knock out draw later next month with the number two can avoid coming to Kandy till the last game in the Super Round.

Police are currently occupying number two position by collecting 54 points in their 12 games. Their Fijian Emosi will play a major part in this encounter as well. Chandimal, Sachith Silva and Vageesha Weerasinghe will be all out to maintain their number two. 

The Red Shirts are at 49 points will be once again led by Omalka Gunaratne where his leadership and decision making will come under the spotlight. In their last game against Kandy in the Hills probably they lost out the grip of the game early in the game losing out by not taking two kickable penalties. Further his yellow card offences continue to pile almost one per game. Kevin Dixon, Mursheed Zubair, Supun Warunakulasuriya and Reza Rafaideen hold the key if the Longdon Place club to climb up to number two. 

Referee Praneeth Weranga

Navy out for a win

Navy Sports Club will be out for a win when they confront last placed Air Force outfit at Ratmalana. Navy led by Richie Dharmapala occupy number six position at present which is below their usual good standard of rugby. Chathura Seneviratne, Musheen Faleel and Thilina Weerasinghe will be the main players in the Welisara camp.

Meanwhile the Air Force outfit under Gayantha Iddamalgoda supported by Lahiru Udayanga and Pathmasanka Weerasinghe will hold the key if they are to win their first outing in their 13th encounter this season. On form Sailors should pull it off.    

Referee Dilum Dheeshana 

Army hold the edge

Army will hold the edge when they host CH & FC at Welisara. Currently Army SC are in number five position but they have a deficit of 21 points with Havies who are placed at number four. This means Army will need to battle the Super League in the Plate segment even if they win their last two games. 

Ashan Bandara, Fijian Tomasii Caqusau, Lahiru Ratnayake and Sachin Gamage will hold the edge in the Solders outfit. Meanwhile CH &FC led by Rohitha Rajapaksa, a side individually the best in the league but as a team did not click in any of the 12 games will need to play at their best plus their fitness level too will be tested. Ryan Weerakoon, Waren Weerakoon, Sudam Sooriyarachchi, Nishon Perera, Samuel Maduwantha and Chathura Dilshan will be the players to watch in the CH camp.

Referee Gihan Yatawara 

Kandy out to continue winning streak

Kandy will play their second last game before the Super Round games at Nittawela. They have already piled up 70 points 16 points clear of Police who occupy number two after 12 games and assured with the league title for a record sixth year in tandem.

Kandy will be once again led by Nigel Ratwatte well supported by Tharinda Ratwatte, Diluksha Dange, Damith Dissanayake, Buwanka Ugangamuwa and Perera brothers will be the key ones for the Up Country outfit. Jason Dissanayake and Kavindu Perera will be in the starting line-up for the champion outfit. Meanwhile for Havies this will be a very long journey. They lost their way after the first round game at the Park losing out by 22/12.

Shawkhat Lahir, Sandesh Abeywickrema, Mithun Hapugoda, Randy Silva and Prince Chamara all will be the vital players for the Park Club. They are one of the teams which could spoil Kandy’s party. The danger for Havies is if they end number four in the league after their 14 games they will need to travel up to Kandy once more to meet the Up Country outfit in the Super round encounter.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon