Fate of the league to be decided at Nittawela

Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Danushka Dyan to miss out on the important clash against Havies

By Shamseer Jaleel

Two unbeaten teams in the league, Havelock Sports Club and Kandy Sports Club will lock horns on 16 December at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. This encounter will tell the respective supporters if the league will be safe kept at Nittawela or will it take a long journey to Park Club in Colombo.

Kick-off is scheduled at 4 p.m.

Both teams have won all their five matches played so far. Credit should be given to the Park Club who lost as many as eight players from their last year’s outfit to CR & FC and CH & FC, and still put up a brave effort under their tactful Head Coach, Sanath Martis.

Kandy, the defending champions had an uneven start against Air Force and Police but settled well by re-grouping and playing with a better coordination between the forwards and three quarter line. They were never short of talent but they took time to settle. Two home matches against CR& FC and CH & FC has made a world of difference for the Up Country team in their confidence.

Uchithra Jayasuirya, Yakoob Ali, Shehan Pathirana, Heshan Kalhara and Buwanka Udangamuwa are all at their peak. In fact Shehan Pathirana and Buwanka Udangamuwa are at their peak being good in defence as well in attack which kept many sides away from breaching their defence.

Meanwhile they have the luxury of having the best three quarter line among the clubs. Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, and return of Anurudha Wilwara a coach cannot ask for any more than this. Wilwara’s return could put Lavanga in to the bench. Their place kicker, Thilina Wijesinghe too in peak form could put pressure on the visiting team. Danushka Dyan will be out of this game due to an operation.

Meanwhile Park Club having lived up to top expectation is led by Niroshan Fernando well supported by workhorse, Sharo Fernando, Dinuk Amarasinghe, Chamra Dabare, Reza Mubarak, Mithun Hapugoda and try machine, Dushmantha Priyadharshana. Team work being the key among the youngsters though not having many big names could give some tough time to the home team but Kandy is expected to pull it off in the end. With Havies requesting for an overseas referee, Sri Lanka Rugby will bring down Charlie Brown to blow at this vital encounter which could change the fate of the league if to stay in Kandy or to be taken to Colombo.