Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday, 29 December 2023 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
After the break for Christmas holidays, Nippon Paint Inter Club Major Rugby League 2023/2024 will recommence its week 4 encounters with 2 games down for decision on 29 December and another two encounters taking place on 30 December with all the games being played in Colombo.
CR and FC, a major title contender this year, will host CH and FC at Longdon Place that could turn out to be the game of week 4. CR led by Suhiru Anthony has played some outstanding rugby this season, overcoming Army SC, Police SC and Air Force. The difference between them and Kandy SC is narrow with a point that was the cost paid in the Police game where they missed out on the bonus point. Gemunu Chethiya, Naveen Marasinghe and Mursheed Zubair are the stand out players for the Red Shirts.
Meanwhile, CH led by Avantha Lee got some outstanding players under his leadership.
The best of the lot would be Hirusha Sampath. The former Randles Hill School full back played cohesive rugby this season. They also have Dushmantha Priyadharshana, Janidu Dilshan and Thanuja Maduranga, the top class players in the CH outfit. CH went down to Kandy 13/22 in the opener and shocked Havies 20/13 and then beat Navy 34/14.
Army, who was very unlucky this season not to come in on equal terms against Havies in their last game, will be looking for their first win in this game. They lost out to CR and FC, Kandy SC and Havies in their first three encounters. Soldiers led by Sudarak Dikkumbura played a real captain's role so far this season leading from the front. They also got Ashan Bandara, Nalaka Maduranga being omnipresent.
Meanwhile Sailors led by Thilina Weerasinghe got a young outfit this season. They are yet to register a win in their three encounters, the closest being edged out by Air Force 15/17 in a close encounter.
Defending League champions, Kandy Sports Club will travel down to Colombo for their second Colombo game against Air Force at Ratmalana. Led by Lavanga Perera with their back line Tarinda Ratwatte, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Danushka Ranjan, Diluksha Dange all in their peak and experienced forwards, Lasith Attanagoda and Praveen Charles expected to return to the side, it will be tough for the Air Force to stop the Kandy outfit from running riot at Ratmalana.
Meanwhile, Air Force is led by Parakrama Ratnayake supported by Saraka Werrella and their Head Coach Asela Deshapriya tasted one win over the Sailors going down to Havies and CR.
Police led by Mohan Wimalaratne went through two tough outings against CR and Kandy ending on the wrong side but put up a brave effort. They registered a solitary win in their very first game against the Sailors. They will also have players in the calibre of Mithun Hapugoda and Hirantha Perera who are game changers.
Havies under Azmir Fajudeen will find it tough at Police Park. Shehan Diaz, Abdullah Fayis and Samuel Maduwantha will be the key players for the Park Club.
TMO options are considered to be vital as the game heats up and there could be three front runners for the league title this season.
Match schedule
29 December
Referee Ishanka Abeykoon
Referee Gihan Yatawara
30 December
Referee Praneeth Weranga
Referee Raveen Alexander
