Blockbuster encounter between Kandy and CR this weekend

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league champions Kandy will face one of their sternest challenges in their quest to retain the league title when they confront CR&FC at Longden Place this weekend. 

This will be a do-or-die battle for the upcountry club who will need a win badly if they are to keep the title at their clubhouse in Nittawela.

Joint table leaders Havelocks will have another easy outing when they meet a disorganised Police side at Police Park. Havies, who are playing cohesive rugby this season despite playing without their star Dhanushka Ranjan, have maintained high standards. Muthuthanthri, Hiranjatha Perera, Dulaj Perera and Sharo Fernando have played their best to keep the Park Club on top. Their replacement scrum half Rahul De Silva too has contributed much in a short period of time. 

Gayan Weeraratne of Kandy about to score a try

Police’s sad story continued for a second year with only a few players shouldering the burden. Their number 8 Radheesha Seneviratne, Musheen Faleel and Mohamed Abzal have led the cops with some outstanding rugby but as a team Police are yet to show their true colours.

On the following day (7 January) there will be two games up for a decision. The first one will be played in Welisara with joint table leaders Navy hosting Air Force. Navy is the other outfit which has played champagne rugby this season after losing many of its players to rival clubs. Dhanushka Perera, Suranga Pushpakumara, Thilina Weerasinghe, Sathya Ranathunge and Lee Keegale have guided the outfit this season. Their fullback and place kicker Thilina Weerasinghe was outstanding with his kicks plus his touch kicks gained valuable ground for the sailors to attack from their opponent’s 22. Air Force, which does not possess big names, will find it tough to contain the Sailors who should stay at the top of the table for yet another week.

The encounter between CR and Kandy will be eagerly anticipated by many this season and is sure to see a large crowd. The return leg will be a closely fought one though the Longden Place club lost by more than 50 points in Kandy a month ago. They will be keen to take sweet revenge on Kandy. CR are very lucky to have Tharinda Ratwatte, who is doing the bulk of the work this season for the Red Shirts. Playing in his first season in club rugby, he displayed outstanding qualities and matured a lot as a player since being selected to the national team for the shorter version of the game. They also have Shashan Mohamed, Ishan Noor, Omalka Gunaratne and the Costa brothers displaying their high quality rugby for the club. Their chances of claiming the league is fading away and a defeat here means the Red Shirts will be out of contention for the title this year.

Kandy will depend heavily on their three quarter line to show some good pace with the ball. Dhanushka Ranjan, Nigel Ratwatte, Gayan Weeraratne, Richard Dharmapala and Thilina Wijesinghe will all be at their peak for this game which is vital for Kandy. Their forwards, led by Sayuru Anthony, Buwanaka Undangamuwa and Mohamed Ali, will provide strong support for their three quarter line. Fazil Marija will be out of action for at least another month due to injury.

CR Head Coach Ben Macdougall said: “The boys are playing great rugby this season with some big wins and very close games. Kandy’s game is a much-looked forward to fixture and crowd puller and we are looking forward to turning the tables at home. The team is geared up for what will no doubt be a scintillating game of rugby this weekend, going by the last few matches and the skills displayed by a balanced side this year.”

The last game of the second week of the second round will be played between CH&FC and Army this Sunday. The soldiers should have things their own way when they meet last-placed CH&FC, who sport several inexperienced players in their outfit.

 6 January 

Police vs. Havelocks at Police Park. Referee: Irshard Cader

7 January 

CR&FC vs. Kandy at Longdon Place. Referee: Dinka Peiris

Navy vs. Air Force at Welisara. Referee: Priyantha Gunaratne

8 January 

CH&FC vs. Army at Racecourse grounds. Referee: Sarath Madugalle