Dialog Inter Club league 2018: Two vie for second spot

By Shamseer Jaleel 

Two outfits fighting for the second spot in the Dialog Inter Club league 2018, Navy and Havies, will battle it out at Havelock Park today. Whoever finishes at number 2 or 3, it will not make a difference for the Clifford Cup knock out later this month as these two sides will most likely meet each other in the semi-final encounter. 

Second placed Navy Sports Club will miss the services of their regular Winger, Supun Dilshan in today’s encounter against Havelock SC after he was imposed with a one match ban. Former Science College player and Sri Lanka sevens representative Dilshan was found guilty for handing a high tackle on a Kandy SC player during their last week’s match at Welisara. 

Meanwhile, Police Winger Kasun Rajakaruna will also face a three match ban after he was found guilty of giving a spear tackle to an Air Force player last week. Police beat Air Force to secure their first victory in the league this season. 

Police will be up against a gutsy CH & FC outfit who are playing cohesive rugby but they are unlikely to move up in their ranking from number 4. Judicial officer former referee Aruna Jayasekera cited the incident and decided to hand over the suspension two days back.

Meanwhile the defending League champions and professional Kandy outfit will be seen for the last time this season when they take on the Solders. This should be an easy outing and the up country outfit should be home safely with another bonus point win before dating Havies at home in their last encounter on 11 February at Nittawela. 

The last game will be between the Red Shirts and Air Force with the home team from Longdon Place holding a slight edge over the last placed Air Force.

3 February

Kandy SC vs Army at Ratmalana

Referee Dinka Peiris

CH & FC vs Police at Race Course grounds

Referee H P Weranga

CR & FC vs Air Force at Longdon place

Referee Priya Suranga

Havelocks SC vs Navy SC (Flood lights)

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne