Navy to open competition against tough cops

Clifford Cup knockout rugby 2017/2018

By Shamseer Jaleel

Navy, who finished the season as the league runner-up, will be up against a gutsy Police outfit which has improved its pattern of play of late, in the opener of the Clifford Cup knockout rugby competition to be played today at the Racecourse rugby grounds. 

Police almost beat Havelocks and drew with CH before registering an outright win. But there will be doubts whether they have sufficient firepower to topple the sailors.

The season’s highest try- and points-scorer Thilina Weerasinghe is Navy’s lynchpin and his form this season has been outstanding. His placekicks and touch kicks have helped his side gain a much-needed territorial advantage. They also have Mohamed Abzal and Musheen Faleel, two hardy players who crossed over from Police this season. For the cops, the form of Wajid Fahmy and Sandesh Abeywickrema will dictate the outcome of the game.

Navy, who beat Police twice, are assured of a semi-final berth based on their current form.

Kandy favoured in clash with Air Force

Defending champions Kandy will begin their campaign against Air Force at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle. Sri Lanka Rugby, which conducts this tournament on a neutral ground, decided to shift the competition to Pallekelle due to the poor state of the Bogambara Stadium. 

Kandy have the best club three-quarter line, with Dhanuskha Ranjan, Nigel Ratwatte, Fazil Marija, Richard Dharmapala and Thilina playing at their peak. Once again they will miss out on key players Sayuru Anthony, Buwanka Udangamuwa, Anurudha Wilwara and Jason Dissanayake due to injuries. Sooriyabandara will occupy the scrum position with Uchith Jayasuriya, Manchanayake and Yakoob Ali in the forwards position looking rock solid. Air Force will depend on Seelagama, Iddamalgoda and Seneviratne to be at their best. But going on form Kandy should book their semi-final berth on 21 February.

Potential walk in the park for Havies 

The Havelock Sports Club will go all out to finish the knockout competition on top. They will lock horns with Army SC, who are battling injury concerns to their leading players. Havies have lost out on Dulaj Perera and Kevin Dixon but have plenty of replacements on their bench. 

Lasindu, Reza Mubarak, Sharo Fernando, Nishon Perera and Hirantha Perera will all be heavily marked players. The soldiers will depend on Rizvi, Senanayake and Gayan Salinda. Army’s form has dropped badly, with them falling from number 4 to 6 by the end of the league. On form it looks like a walk in the park for Havies.

CH good for semis

CH&FC, who have played some outstanding rugby in the latter rounds, have lived up to the high expectations surrounding them to move forward for the semifinal encounters. They have hired the Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Sudarshana Mututantri, who was outstanding in his first game out for CH. Hashan Maduranga, Lee Keegale and Yoshitha Rajapaksa are all playing at their peak this season and along with Sathya Ranathunge will be a tough outfit to beat.

CR will depend on Seshan Mohamed, Omalka Gunaratne, Tharinda Ratwatte and Reza Rafaideen to be at their best. On form CH should travel up to Kandy for their next game on 21 February.

The Clifford Cup is the oldest club rugby knockout tournament in Sri Lanka and probably the oldest rugby tournament in Asia, with a history of over 100 years. 

Kandy Sports Club has won the Clifford Cup a record 21 times since 1992. CR&FC have won it 14 times, including a tie with Dimbulla ACC, Havelocks SC have won it 13 times including a tie with Police SC, Police SC have won eight times with ties against Havelock SC and Army SC, CH&FC seven times, Dimbulla A&CC twice including a tie with CR&FC, Army SC twice with one tie with Police SC, whilst Air Force SC and Navy SC have only won the cup once

Quarterfinals

February 16 (today)

Navy SC vs. Police SC                        Racecourse

Referee Dinka Peiris

February 17

Kandy SC vs. Air Force SC                Trinity College Stadium Pallekelle

Referee P Weeranga

Havelocks SC vs. Army SC                Racecourse 

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne

February 18

CH&FC vs. CR&FC                        Racecourse

Referee San Johan (Australia)