Fazil’s last league game for Kandy

Saturday, 10 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league champions Kandy Sports Club is tipped to continue their winning streak and end on top when they lock horns with second placed Havies at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 11 February at 4 p.m.

Veteran fly half Fazil Marija will be playing his last league game for Kandy. His career began more than a decade ago when he represented the country against Hong Kong as a schoolboy at the very same ground where he will end his league career. A player who never changed club, he is ranked as one of the best in the Asian Region representing Asian Barbarians against the visiting New Zealand outfit in Hong Kong.

Their three quarter line is at peak with some outstanding players such as Ranjan, Dharmapala, Lavanga, Wilwara, and Nigel along with Fazil who could run circles around the Havies line. All these players are lightning fast with very good defensive skills under their belt. Skipper Gayan Weetraratne creates the majority of the threatening moves for their speedy three quarters to score at will. The forwards they have are Yakoob Ali, Uchithra Jayasuirya and Shehan Pathirana. Unfortunately they will lose out on experienced Sayuru Anthony who was injured in the Army game last weekend.

Havies will depend on Sharo Fernando, Nishon Perera, Madushanka, Hirantha Perera, Dulaj Perera and skipper Melder to contain the up country outfit. With their current form and the home fan base of around 7000 packed into the Nittawela Rugby Stadium, it is unlikely that Kandy will be beaten in their last game which is also the farewell league game for famed Fazil Marija.

Referee: Rohan Fernando

The Dialog Inter club league 2017/2018 presentations along with the runner-up trophy, highest point scorer, and highest try scorer will take place soon after the encounter at 5.45 p.m. The Chief Guest for this occasion will be Dialog Axita Group Chief Marketing Officer Amli Nanayakkara.

Second spot at stake

Dialog Inter Club 2017/2018 will come to an end tomorrow with the Havies battling it out with Kandy SC at Nittawela. This game will decide the team ending second in the league. CH&FC, Navy SC and Havies have a chance for the second berth.

CH&FC ended the league on a high note when they edged out CR&FC in a thriller by one point at Longdon Place. CH&FC scored their 25 points through (4 tries, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) to 24 points ( 3 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty). At the short breather CR led 17/15.

Army, who had a bad second round, ended on a good note when they beat Police SC by 43 Points (6 tries, 5 conversions, 1 penalty) to 36 points (6 tries, 3 conversions) at Police Park yesterday. At the short breather Army SC led 31/19.

Navy registered a half a century win over Air Force in their league encounter which concluded at Ratmalana yesterday. The sailors’ points were scored through (7 tries, 6 conversions, 1 penalty) to 28 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 3 penalties.) At the short breather Navy led 22/16.

If the Qatar Rugby team participates in the Clifford Cup knockout later this month, they will need to play a game against Sri Lanka Air Force who are at number 8 at present. The winners of this encounter will meet the defending champions Kandy SC in Kandy in the first quarter final encounter. (SJ)