CR out to continue winning ways

CR out for a win against CH

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR and FC who are celebrating their centenary year will be all-out to continue their winning form when they confront CH and FC at Race course in one of the week 4 rugby encounters tomorrow.

CR have settled down as a unit with a young outfit led by Kavindu de Costa. They are coached by Dushantha Lewke and have ample support from Lasindu Ishan, Manilka Ruberu, Zubair Doray and Chathura Seneviratne.

Chathura, the former Kingswood lad, is a very good place kicker plus has a lot of power to gain the much-needed territory for the Red Shirts to attack from the opposition half. CR President Ted Muttiah and his rugby committee are all-out to bring back the League trophy which has been away from Longdon Place for more than two decades now.

Meanwhile CH and FC will have some top-class players such as Sudharshana Muthuthanthri, Dushmantha Priyadharshana, Soorya Dodangoda, Avishka Lee, Janidu Dilshan and Avantha Lee but they will need to play as a unit for the entire 80 minutes of the game.

Meanwhile the Cops under the watchful eyes of Nilfer Ibrahim are yet to impress in the League, lacking in three-quarter experience. Amjad Faumy, Nisala Samadhi, Yohan Peiris and Prince Chamara should lead from the front. The good ball won by their forwards need to be made good use by their three-quarter line this season by the Cops.

They will have a tough outing when they meet Sri Lanka Air Force who put up a brave effort and almost stunning Kandy away at Nittawela last weekend. Air Force led by Ishara Madushan, Gayantha Iddamalgoda and Charith Seneviratne, all top-class player, with Nuwan Perera operating from the base and kick at goal hold a slight edge.

Sri Lanka Army to been inconsistent in their approach. They have Manjula Weerasinghe, Ashan Bandara, Sudharaka Dikkumbura, Chathuranga Perera and Rifan Mohamed in their outfit. But to bring down Havies, they have to do something miracle. Meanwhile the Park Club will have Abdullah Faiz, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Dinupa Seneviratne and Mithun Hapugoda in their line-up. Mithun coming in the second half could make the difference between the two sides. His ghosting moves are always a treat to watch for the fans but not for the visiting team. He has been omnipresent in the latter half of the encounter.

Meanwhile the Sailors will be Up in the Hills  expecting a similar performance of Air Force last weekend at Nittawela. But it will be adaunting task for the Welisara outfit. they have Thilina Weerasinghe, Musheen Faleel and Adeesha weerathunge to guide them. Thilina Weerasinghe’s kick at goal will be vital for Saliya Kumara’s team.

On the other hand, Kandy SC will be all-out to end their last home game in round 1 on a high note in front of their rugby crazy spectators. Their three-quarter line is the best among clubs. Their scrum half Srinarth Sooriyabandara should make good use of the forwards winning the ball to send it to the speedy three-quarter line.

Fixtures

6 Jan. – Sri Lanka Air Force vs Sri Lanka Police: Ratmalana (Referee Priyantha Gunaratne)

7 Jan. – CH and FC vs CR and FC: Race Course (Referee Gihan Yatawara), Sri Lanka Army SC vs Havelock SC: Ratmalana (Referee Raveen Alexander)

8 Jan. – Kandy SC vs Navy SC: Nittawela (Referee Ishanka Abeykoon)