Kandy to make a comeback in league’s second round

By Shamseer Jaleel

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Both Richard Dharmapala and Dhanushka Ranjan are getting to their top gear in the last two games for Kandy is a threat for other clubs in round 2

The second round of the 2016/2017 club rugby league will commence this weekend with Havelocks and Navy meeting, followed by a game between Kandy and CR&FC. 

Defending champions Kandy, who dropped two games against Air Force and Navy, will need to win all their second round matches if they are to keep the league title safely in their grasp. Table leaders Havelocks played last-placed CH&FC yesterday with the park club scoring a convincing win to start the second round on a positive note. 

Fourth-placed CR&FC will be up against Air Force, who sit at fifth position, today. CR are playing some cohesive rugby and have several talented youngsters within their ranks such as former Trinity skipper and national Sevens player Tharinda Ratwatte, who has already matured into a class act for the Longden Place club. Whatever he did this season with the boot has worked out for CR. Ishan Noor, Shashan Mohamed and the Costa brothers being at the top of their game has also greatly helped the club. They will need to secure wins in all their remaining second round games and collect some bonus points if they are to make a bold comeback to clinch the league. 

The Airmen too maintained their high standards in round one, pulling off a surprise win over Kandy after 33 years. They will be the dark horses of the tournament. CR hold a slight edge in their first game of round two. 

In the third game Navy should have things their own way when they meet seventh-placed Police, who are all over the park this season. As a team they are yet to hit their peak. 

Placekicker and fullback Thilina Weerasinghe is a major asset for the Welisara outfit, who also have Sathya Ranathunga, Lee Keegale, Dhanushka Perera and skipper Ranasinghe all playing their best. Police will be expecting their consistent players Musheen Faleel, Mohamed Abzal and Radheesha Senaratne to contain the joint table leaders. 

The fourth and final encounter for 2016 will be between Kandy and Army in Nittawela. Kandy, who played well in their last two tough outings against CR and Havies, will be a tough outfit to be beat at home as their past home record suggests. Their forwards Sayuru Anthony, Yakoob Ali and Buwanka Udangamuwa all did well to support their three quarter line. Richard Dharmapala, Dhanushka Ranjan and Thilina Wijesinghe, if given the ball, will find space and the try line. Both Fazil Marija and Nigel Ratwatte are doubtful starters. Kandy, who are negotiating with CR for Jason Dissnayake, should come to an early settlement in order to acquire the services of the best national Sevens player. According to reliable sources, CR is seeking Rs. 7,500,000 from Kandy but later dropped down to Rs. 2,500,000. But Kandy was agreeable to the contracted amount for release which stood at Rs. 500,000. However, Kandy too raised their amount thinking of the unfortunate situation of the player to double the contracted amount. Many think that CR will release the player only after their second round game against Kandy in two weeks’ time.     

Meanwhile, the Soldiers will rely heavily on forward Jayalal and scrum half Mohamed Rizvi who are both playing top class rugby for the forces outfit. Rizvi, the nippy scrum half playing at his best, could outfox the Kandy three-quarter line. They will also be hoping that their fullback Gayan Salinda is accurate with his place kicking.  

Today

CR&FC vs. Air Force in Ratmalana. Referee: Aruna Rankothge 

Police vs. Navy at Police Park  Referee: Irshard Cader

Tomorrow

Kandy vs. Army in Nittawela Referee: Priyantha Gunaratne