League gone to Kandy, pride at stake for many

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Defending League and Clifford Cup champions, Kandy Sports Club once again looks a yard faster than the rest and their closest over their rivals Havies with an 11 points lead at the half way mark with the conclusion for round 1. This gives a clear indication where the League trophy will be safe kept this year as well but for many other clubs their pride will be at stake in round 2.

Kandy to meet Police

Kandy SC once again will have an easy second round kick off when they face the last placed Cops who urgently need a revamp if they are to give a good account of themselves. Coached by Shamly Nawas the full time Policemen are yet to find their form and they look a side left out of the tournament so far. Kandy on the other hand looks a superior outfit and especially at home their record runs in to several years without being challenged or defeated at Nittawela. 

Led by Gayan Weeraratne ably supported by his younger brother, Roshan Weeraratne, Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Nigel Ratwatte, Anurudha Wilwara and Fazil Marija their three quarter line is untouchable. Even their forwards too stood up for the occasion though tested fully in the last two games against Havies and the Sailors. Yakoob Ali, Shehan Pathirana and Sayuru Anthony on three look leaders in the forwards department. Kandy should continue their winning streak with an easy bonus point win at home.

Navy hold 

the edge over CH

CH will once again need to start from where they left in their last game against the Sailors. This time around it will not be an easy task beating Navy at Welisara. This battle will be an interesting one with a few former Sailors turning out for the CH outfit. Sajith Saranaga, Lee Keegale, Sathya Ranathunge, Yositha Rajapakse all be top players who will be expected to take them through with another win. They will depend heavily on Samuel Maduwantha’s kicking form in this encounter. Navy led by Danushka Perera too have some class players such as Musheen Faleel, Mohamed Abzal and Dinusha Chathuranga. Once again their place kicker, Thilina Weerashing will make the difference between the two sides. A close encounter expected with the odd favours the home team at Welisara.

Clear edge 

for Havies

Havies should have things their own way when they kick off after half time break for round 1 with an easy encounter against Air Force at Ratmalana. Havies coming in to round 2 with 29 points but sit behind Kandy with a 11 point deficit will need lot of hard work and expect Kandy to lose at least 2 games in the last round which is a very unlikely event with the current form of the Up Country outfit. Havies will depend deep for a bonus win with the support from Sharo Fernando, Madushanka, Hirantha Perera and Reza Mubarak. Air Force will need Iddamalgoda, Chathura Senevirante and Seelagama to fine their feet to stop the Park Club from running all over the Park. On form the Park Club should pull it off with a bonus point win.

Close encounter expected between CR and Army

Army will be once again with very positive mode when they take on the CR outfit in round 2 first encounter. Army got back to top form in round 2 when they edged out CR. Army will depend heavily on Ashoka Jayalal, skipper Senanyake and Gayan Salinda. Red Shirts will depend on Shashan Mohamed, Tharinda Ratwatte and Omalka Gunaratne to be on their top on the match day. Longdon Place club main worry is the form of Tharinda Ratwatte which is inconsistent this season. Reza Rafaideen who crossed over from the Cops performed well this season. Many players who transformed from School rugby to club rugby struggle big time. Sad to say none of the club or Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) conduct tournaments featuring under 23 level which will be ideal for these players to rise up for the big league.