Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday, 31 March 2022 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamzeer Jaleel
Nippon Paint coming in and propping up with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) the league too in the Cup and Plate segment heated up with only two more weeks left in the 2022 edition.
Hats off to the defending champions, Kandy Sports Club players, coaching staff headed by Fazil marija for the magnificent performance put up so far despite losing majority of their forwards this season. Meanwhile Havies as usual are in safe hands till experienced Sanath Martis is around the Park Club. He has made the boys in to Men and only a few can do that.
Air Force hold the edge
Sri Lanka Air Force will be up against Sri Lanka Army after losing out to CR in their last game which has put the Plate segment in to an opportunity for three leading teams to grab the trophy. Air Force are currently lying at number two position in the Plate segment while the Soldiers are at the rock bottom with 10 points.
Air Force heavily depend on skipper, Nuwan Perera, Gayantha Iddamalgoda and Faris Ali. Coached by Shamlie Nawas they can turn table on any team. Meanwhile the Solders outfit coached by Radhika Hettiarachchi fired all guns at Kandy in their league encounter but lost all energy afterwards.
Nalaka Maduranga, Gayan Salinda and Sudaraka Dikkumbura are some top-class players. They will need to coordinate with their forwards and three quarters and put up a solid performance in this game.
Match day and Venue
1 April at Havelock Park
Referee Gihan Yatawara
Navy hold the edge
Sri Lanka Navy SC will be all out to continue their lead in the Plate segment when they confront the Red Shirts at Longdon Place.
CR looks and unpredictable outfit when they beat Sri Lanka Air Force in their last encounter while the Sailors got the better of Solders. At present Navy lead the Plate table with 19 points while CR is on third place at 15 points. One game could change the whole apple cart upside down which is good for the game as no team can relax till the end.
Adeesha Weeratunge led Sailors will heavily depend on Thilina Weerasinghe, Samuel Maduwantha and Radeesha Seneviratne. Meanwhile Yoshitha Rajapakse will be playing his last club game for Navy SC as he is expected to retire after 15 years of club rugby.
Meanwhile CR will depend on Supun Warunakulasuriya, Sabar brothers and Kavindu de Costa to bounce back and show some pride in a club which has lot of value on and off the field led by former Royal 1982 skipper and President Ted Muttiah who is doing everything possible to end on a win in the Plate segment and to show some fighting qualities at the sevens and Clifford Cup later on next month.
Match day and Venue
2 April at Longdon Place
Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen
