Exciting contests this week in Inter-Club Rugby 2022

By Shamseer Jaleel

CH and FC will be travelling to Kandy to face the defending champions Kandy Sports Club tomorrow in their first match for the 2022 rugby season after their opening clash against the Cops was postponed due to COVID issues with their players.

The week two matches will commence with Havies playing Army at the Park. The Park Club had a grand outing against the Navy, winning easily, and will be aiming at their second success this season. Coached by Sanath Martis and captained by Shehan Deelaka, the Park club got some outstanding players in their ranks. Abdulla Faiz, Lasindu Karunathilake and Mithun Hapugoda are game-changers. Army will heavily depend on Gayan Salinda’s leadership and decision-making with his able forwards to guide them through. Army drew square against CR in their first outing.

CR and FC will be hosting Air Force at Longdon Place in their second game but they will be minus seven of their players as they tested positive for COVID. A relatively younger outfit is expected to be featured at Longdon Place by them. Led by Kavindu de Costa and ably supported by Kanchana Ramanayake and Supun Warunakulasuriya, the Red Shirts look very strong.

Air Force will heavily depend on Gayan Iddamalgoda, Parakrama Ratnayake and Nuwan Perera. They lost their first home encounter to the defending champions, Kandy SC but this will be a tough task for them to register their first win this season.

Navy, led by Adeesha Weerathunge, will be aiming for their first win this season against the Cops. Sailors lost out to Havies in their first encounter.

Kandy will be strong as ever when they host CH and FC at Nittawela. Kandy’s three-quarter line is their strength. Led by Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Yakoob Ali, Roshan Weeraratne, Kavindu Perera and Perera’s brother Lavanga and Oshan, Kandy looks undisturbed, at least for the time being. 

CH and FC could not play their first encounter against the Cops due to COVID, but are still under watch as many of their players have yet to recover. Led by Susharshana Muthuthanthri, Anuradha Herath, Sudam Sooriyarachchi and Sayuru Anthony, a good game is expected but according to form, Kandy should be home with a win.

 Fixtures

28 January 

Havelock SC vs Sri Lanka Army at Havelock Park

Referee Gihan Yatawara

 29 January 

CR and FC vs Sri Lanka Air Force at Longdon Place

Referee Hasantha weranga

Police SC vs Sri Lanka Navy at Police Park

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne

 30 January 

Kandy SC vs CH and FC at Nittawela

Referee Dilum Deeshana