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Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Friday, 9 November 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Dialog Rugby League will kick off todayBy Shamseer Jaleel
Over the next four months Sri Lankan spectators will witness champagne rugby as the Dialog Rugby League 2018/2019 kicks off today with a game between Police SC and Navy SC at Police Park.
Dialog will be sponsoring this event for the 7th consecutive year followed by the Clifford Cup knockout competition soon after the completion of the league in February 2019.
Police, who were one of the top sides in the ’80s, lost their glamour with the game going semi-professional with other clubs hiring some outstanding foreign players. They are fortunate to have Fijian Emosi Vunivosa in their starting line-up. Much will be expected from players such as Romesh Arachchige and Fawmy who will have to coordinate with the Fijian star. They will be coached by Shamly Nawas.
On the other hand, Navy will be all out to have a perfect start with some outstanding players in their ranks. Led by arguably the best placekicker in the country, Thilina Weerasinghe, they have Richie Dharmapala, Pushpakumara and Harsha Maduranga to guide them.
The sailors should be home without much trouble. They are coached by Mothilal Jayasekera.
Today in the second game under lights, the heartbroken Havies will host the soldiers. Havies, who lost the majority of their players to CH & FC and CR & FC, will be up against one of the toughest sides in the tournament. The park club will be led by Niroshan Ferando. Sharo Fernando, Fajudeen, Reza Mubarak and Dinuk Amarasinghe will be the backbone of the park club. Havies will function under the watchful eyes of Sanath Martis.
The soldiers will depend heavily on their seniors to deliver the goods. Players such as Gayan Salinda, Ashoka Jayalal and Dikkumbura will be relied upon to guide them through. This could be a close encounter as there is hardly any difference between both sides. Army is being coached by Viper Jr. Gunaratne.
