Week 5 matches of the Inter-Club Rugby League 2022

Club rugby continues without commercial sponsor  

By Shamseer Jaleel

Week 5 matches of the Inter-Club Rugby League 2022 will continue with four games down for decisions. Kandy after not having a game in week 3 as the Soldiers pulled out the encounter due to COVID for their players will host the Red Shirts in a blockbuster encounter at Nittawela which is expected to be full house.

Havies to continue unbeaten run

Havies will be away at Police Park and should have things their own way though the Cops registered their first win last week over the Air Force outfit.

Havies as usual looks a different outfit who could be a major threat for the defending champions and unbeaten Kandy SC. Led by former Pathana boy Shenal Deelaka, they have some outstanding players such as Abdullah Faiz, Lasindu Karunathilake and Sandesh Jayawickrema. The Peterite player Sandesh will play a major role with his place kicking and gaining territory through touch kicks could be a major threat for the Cops.

On the other hand, Cops have a threatening winger Wageesha Weerainghe. He could run through any defense with top-class speed. Further brothers Sachith and Irosh could be the other two players the Park Club will be watching closely.

On form Havies should be home without much difficulty.

 Air Force hold the edge over Army

 Air Force though were shell-shocked to be beaten by Police last weekend could come out with their second win against the Army outfit. Air Force who showed a lot of promise in their game against CR dropped in form and expectations. 

Skipper Nuwan Perera, Prakrama Ratnayake and Gayantha Iddamalgoda are their playmakers while the Soldiers will heavily depend on skipper Gayan Salinda and Sudaraka Dikkumbura to take them through.

 Sailors hold the edge over CH

Navy will once again be all out to register a win when they host CH and FC at Welisara. Once again though much was expected from the experienced CH outfit they are yet to hit the peak and running out of time in order for any hope of a League comeback.

Chathura Seneviratne, Thilina Weerasinghe and skipper Adeesha Weerathunge are the top-class players in the home team camp while CH and FC who made a brilliant effort in trying to end the Havies unbeaten run will heavily depend on their skipper, Muthuthanthri, Omalka Gunaratne and Janidu Dilshan to be on top form.

 Kandy hold the edge

Kandy after having a rest week due to no game against Army will be playing their second encounter this season in front of their rugby crazy supporters at Nittawela.

Skipper Nigel Ratwatte, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Tharinda Ratwatte, Diluksha Dange, Roshan Weeraratne and their forwards Damith Dissanayake and Lasith Athanagoda all live up to expected standards. Much credit should be given to the inexperienced forwards who did very well up to this point in the league.

Meanwhile the Red Shirts will be under a lot of pressure playing in the Hills as the club rivalry is very high between the two clubs and will be expecting much from their players such as skipper Kavindu de Costa, Supun Warunakulasuriya and Kanchana Ramanayake.

Kandy coached by Fazil Marija and Thalagampola should be home and be able to continue their unbeaten run for a further one week.

 Match schedule 

18 February (today): Navy SC vs CH and FC – Welisara (Referee Dilum Deeshana)

19 February: Air Force SC vs Army SC – Ratmalana (Referee Isuru), Police vs Havelock SC – Police Park (Referee Praneeth Weranga)

20 February: Kandy SC vs CR and FC – Nittawela (Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen)