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CR celebrating after their win at Commander Matthysz Trophy against Havies
By Shamseer Jaleel
Defending league champions, Kandy Sports Club will face their second last game in the Nippon Paint Rugby League encounter when they confront Havelock Sports Club at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 12 February.
Kick-off is scheduled at 4 p.m.
Currently Kandy occupies No. 1 position with 45 points followed by CR and FC at 39 points too in with a chance to lift the trophy after nearly two plus decades if they win both their remaining matches against Navy SC and Kandy SC with bonus point and expect the defending champions, Kandy SC to lose both their remaining games. Though it’s an unlikely occurring which could be a miracle if it happens.
Kandy SC who had plenty of injury issues during first round losing out more than six of them but two of them recovered for their second-round encounters. The young lads from the Central Hills never lost hopes. Their Head Coach and veteran of the oval shaped ball game, Fazil Marija banked on the young blood to deliver the results.
Though their supporters will not be satisfied with the first-round results with the given players, they were a yard faster than their opponents, wining all their seven games though majority of them are with close range wins. During their last game against Havies away in Colombo many expected the Park Club to pull it off but Kandy really hit the top gear during that encounter and continued their good work against Navy in their first game in round 2 at Welisara.
Kandy SC led by Damith Dissanayake though through injury played well leading from the front with ample support coming in from Praveen Charle, Shanushka Abeywickrema and Chatura Soysa. The former Kingswoodian, Heshan Jensan operating from the base is a vastly improved player this season pushing the experienced Sooriyabandara to full back position. The trade mark of the defending champions being their three quarter line with Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Lavanga Perera and Dinal Ekanayake being at peak form at the correct time of the season.
Meanwhile the Park Club will be expecting a miracle at Nittawela. They are led by Vimukthi Rahula supported by Azmir Fajudeen, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Mithun Hapugoda. Hapugoda experience and his top gear second half play could be a threat to the defending champions.
The Park Club is coached by veteran, Sanath Martis who is a knowledgeable coach but yet to get to his peak form in winning trophies. Havies already lost out twice to CR and once to Kandy will find the going tough in the Hills and Kandy are expected to pull this one off.
Kandy SC (probable side)
Malith Wijesundera, Capt. Damith Dissanayake, Praveen Charles, Thilina Bandara, Monishan Chandradas, Chatura Soysa, Sanushka Abeywickrema, Fawmy Wajid, Heshan Jensen. Nigel Ratwatte, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera and Srinarth Sooriyabandara.
Havelock SC (probable side)
Abdullah Faiz, Azmir Fajudeen, Shenuka Herath, Shehan Diaz, Nizram Mohamed, Christian de Lile, Maleesha Madumewa, Nivanka Prasad, Capt. Vimukthi Rahula, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Ramesh Fernando, Chanaka Chan-dimal, Iranga Ariyapala, Randika Warnapura and Mithun Hapugoda.
CR to continue winning streak
CR and FC placed second in the league with a tally of 39 points will lock horns with Sri Lanka Navy SC in their away game which will be played at the Race course after some security issues for the match officials and assault which took place at Welisara during their Kandy game.
Meanwhile CR having lived up to high expectations in their Centenary year will be wanting to end on top.
They have done everything but losing to Kandy in round being very costly so far for them.
Skipper, Kavindu de Costa and Chatura Seneviratne being outstanding for the Red Shirts this year around.
The lads from Longdon place having turned things around to be at number 2 position so far this season under their head Coach, Dushantha Lewke is remarkable achievement. CR are with full of confidence after beating Havies and securing the Commander Eustace Matthysz Trophy.
Meanwhile the Sailors are a different lot under their Head Coach Saliya Kumara who had done a yeoman services for the Welisara outfit. Skipper Harsha Maduranga, Thilina Weerasinghe and Musheen Faleel are the three main weapon for the Sailors. This could turn out to be a close encounter but Navy lost their home advantage after their security lapses in their Kandy game home matches shifted to Race course.
CR and FC from
Dilshan Jayah, Supun Warunakulasuriya, Lahiru Pavithra, Kaveen Vikum, Ashan Darling, Kalindu Kariyavasam, Gayan Dilshan, Shehan Kalaniyangoda, Suhiru Anthony, Raveen De Silva, Jero Dananjaya, Achitha Radeshan, Eranda Harshana, Capt. Kavindu de Costa, Viduna Amaneth, Kalindu Nandila, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Ruchira Ekanayake, Chathura Seneviratne, Gemnun Chetiya, Yasas Kavindu, Zubair Doray and Lakshan Muthunayake.
Navy SC (probable side)
Charith Silva, Pulasthi Dissanayake, Deshan Viumkthi, Dananjaya Seneviratna, Nirosh Perera, Adeesha Weerathunge, Gihan Perera, Janith Laksara, Capt. Harsha Maduranga, Dinesh de Silva, Thilina Weerasinghe, Musheen Faleel, Lahiru Herath, Thanuja Malimbada and Samuel Maduwantha.
Meanwhile in the Super 4 Plate segment encounters CH will host Sri Lanka Air Force at Race Course today while Sri Lanka Police SC will play Sri Lanka Army SC at Police Park today.
10 February (today)
At Race course
Referee Raveen Alexander
At Police Park
Referee Ishanka Abeykoon
11 February
At Race course
Referee Ishanka Abeykoon
12 February
At Nittawela
Referee Hasantha Weanga
