Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
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Club rugby league heating up
Air Force will be in the Hills facing the Defending League champions
By Shamseer Jaleel
Havelock Sports Club under Umesh Madushan will be all out to register their second win when they lock horns with Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club at Welisara today.
The Park Club edged out the much-improved Sri Lanka Air Force but went down to CR in their first outing. Havies who are nothing short of talent under the eagle-eyed coach, Sanath Martis will have Vimukthi Rahula, Chanaka Chandimal, Azmir Fajudeen, Faiz Abdullah, Iranga Ariyapala, Mithun Hapugoda and Sandesh Jayawickrema in their outfit. Mithun who is expected to be at his best in the later half could make the difference between the two outfits.
Meanwhile the Sailors will be having Adeesha Weeratunge, Isuru Kohongawatte, Thilina Weerasinghe and Musheen Faleel will hold the key. They are coached by technically correct coach, Saliya Kumar.
CH holds the edge over Soldiers
CH and FC will be hosting Sri Lanka Army at Race Course, expecting to continue their winning streak. Led by Prasath Madushanka, Avishka Lee, Johaan Ocbebor, Ovin Hettiarachchi and Avantha Lee will be the players to watch out for. Meanwhile the Army outfit will be out for a win here to get back in the league. Sudaraka Dikkumbura will play a major part for the Soldiers with his experience playing at national level as well.
CR holds the edge
CR celebrating their Centenary year will be all out to register their second win this season when they meet the Cops at Longdon Place. The Red Shirts possess a young outfit with class acts such as Soyuru Anthony, Vageesha Weerasinghe, Lasindu Ishan, Kavindu de Costa and Chathura Seneviratne. Meanwhile the cops lack big names but lost out many of their players to Colombo clubs will be all out to prove a point in this game. They are led by Nisala Samadhi supported by Shaveen Jayawardena, Akash Madushanka and Prince Chamara will be all out for the Cops to turn table on the Red Shirts.
Kandy out to continue unbeaten run
Kandy Sports Club, the defending champions, will be playing their second last home game in the first round when they confront Sri Lanka Air Force at Nittawela. Kandy is the only unbeaten team in the league so far beating both Sri Lanka Army and CR and FC in their two encounters. The Up-Country outfit got the best three-quarter line plus their forwards too are young and mobile. Led by Damith Dissanayake, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Danushka Ranjan all could run riot at Nittawela which could be a tough task for the visitors to contain.
Meanwhile the Air Force did well to hold Havies in one of the best league encounters though ending on the losing side by a solitary point. Much could be expected from the Ratmalana lads provided they tackle their opponents well and settle down fast on the scoreboard. Still Kandy looks a yard faster and continues their winning ways.
