Nippon Paint Rugby League 2023/24 – Week 10 preview

Kandy scrum half Shanuska Abeywickrema slings out a pass 

We have arrived at the final weekend of the Nippon Paint Club Rugby League, where the battle for the Cup Segment is still on and open, while Police SC secured the Plate last weekend, with a nail-biting comeback in the dying minutes, to edge out Army SC that was leading during almost the entire duration of the game.

The Cup Segment is open for the defending Champions Kandy SC and the wannabe Champions CR & FC, thus the Sunday showdown would be a virtual Final of the League. 

Cup Championship

CH & FC vs Havelock SC at Race Course on 17 Feb:

Following a surprise breathtaking performance delivered with pace and agility that forced Kandy SC to take the backseat during most of the game on week 8, the Maitland Crescent outfit played without much conviction, which led to unconvincing execution, which in turn allowed themselves to be dominated by CR on week 9. What instigated the shocking decline in ‘dominating with assurance’ is anyone’s guess; but if this is to continue on week 10, then Havies shall have the upper hand.

On the contrary, after a well thought out and thoroughly trained defensive effort on week 8 against a formidable CR attack in which they lost by only 3 points, the men from Havelock Town seemed extremely edgy, despite playing at home against the visiting defending Champs on week 9. The uneasiness persisted throughout the game, weakening their defences at times, and thwarting their offensives that compelled them to go down 15-19. Quivering almost 15 unforced handling errors on week 9, Havelock’s steep improvements in dominance, execution and defence in recent weeks were rather subdued, yielding unfruitful results. If they are to continue in this fashion, they are more likely to gift CH the edge on week 10. 

CR & FC vs Kandy SC Longdon Place on 18 Feb: 

Although being outdone only on a solitary occasion, Kandy SC has been well short of playing its best game this season, with the exception of occasional outbursts of spectacular skill plays that it is much-admired for. If Kandy could only keep up the explosive gameplay tagged to their unstoppable momentum it showcased following the breather at its last game against CR for a minimum of 30 minutes, then no team may ever come close to beating them. Unfortunately, whatever propelled them to play in that manner in that crucial game, quiesced quite quickly and in under 10 minutes, deflating them back to being mere mortals again.

However, they showed uplifted courage, mental strength and therefore resilience, when they travelled to Colombo on week 8 to face off one of CH’s best performances of this League. They showed maturity in playing the waiting game, while CH dominated proceedings with super-hyper onslaughts, until the latter ran out of steam and lost focus in the final quarter. However, despite CH dominating play for over 60 minutes, Kandy was able to cash-in on almost every error or mistake that was made at vulnerable areas of the playing field.

CR surpassed the most challenging mental trial this season, when it travelled up the Hills to show that it can sustain the high standards of the game, even when playing far from home. In addition, they have been the most consistent team during the League so far in all departments of the game, with only a few minor slip ups here and there. Thus, they stand tall and strong as the team to beat this season, with the premonition to deal the greatest defeat to the defending Champions.