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Kavindu Perera will play a vital role for Kandy SC
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| Gamini Fernando |
The Inter Club Rugby League will reach its sixth week this weekend with four games down for decision in Colombo. The pick of the game this week will be the one between Havelock Sports Club and Sri
Lanka Police which will be played at Havelock Park. This encounter is played for Gamini Fernando Memorial Trophy.
Havies hold the edge
Gamini, the former Trinitian, played for the Up-Country school in 1958 under Denzil Kobbekaduwa and in his last year under Ken de Joodt. Later went on to play for the Havies, led the team in 1967 and represented the national outfit as well. He was also a top-class administrator as well. He was the President of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), Sri Lanka Referees Society and was a National Rugby Selector as well.
Havies at present who are on number two position are the favoured team having done well this season after a shock start this season losing out to CR in the opener. They have ample talent with players such as Raveen Fernando, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Azmir Fajudeen, Abdullah Fayiz and Mithin Hapugoda in the Park Club outfit. Meanwhile Cops had an ordinary start but bounced back to form in their Air Force game winning it away in Ratmalana. In their last week outing too they held the defending champion 12 all draw losing the game in the end by a 10 points margin. They have Samadhi skipper, Yohan Peiris who will be their vital players who could play a dominant role for the Cops.
Experienced Kandy three quarters to make the difference
Kandy Sports Club will travel down to Colombo for a second last time this season when they confront CH and FC at the Racecourse rugby ground.
Kandy SC, the defending champions having injury worries this season. They have not only major injury worries but also losing out six of their seniors this season. Skipper Damith Dissanayake, Lasith Atthanagoda, Heshan Kalhara, Tharindu Chathuranga, Wewala Panditha, Dhanuka Ranjan, Diluksha Dange and Anurudha Wilwara all in the injury list. They hold the edge with their three-quarters. Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera and Srinarth Sooriyabandara could make the difference. Full Back Damian Ratwatte played well so far will be tested fully in this encounter.
Meanwhile CH and FC will have Sudharshana Muthuthanthri, Avishka Lee, Avantha Lee and Hirusha Sampath who will hold the key. With the three-quarter experience Kandy should pull it off but by just.
CR hold the edge
The Red Shirts who are celebrating their Centenary year will be hosting the Sailors at Longdon Place. They have lived up to high standards with the young outfit this season. Chathura Seneviratne being the standout player for them this season finding territorial advantage with his powerful and long distant touch kicks plus kick at goal too being excellent. CR so far have lost out only to Kandy and they too have a good chance for the title after two plus decades.
Navy will heavily depend on Musheen Faleel, Thilina Weerasinghe and Samuel Maduwantha in this outing.
Air Force and Army could go either way
Fifth placed Army and sixth placed Air Force will battle it out for a bonus point win in order to secure top four finish in the group but there is hardly any difference between the two sides and this encounter could be a closely contested affair. Air Force scrum half and place kicker, Nuwan Perera and Gayantha Iddamalgoda will hold the key for the Ratmalana outfit while Dikkumbura and Mahesh Weerasinghe being the key for the home team at Panagoda.
21 January
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