Inter-Club Rugby League 2024/2025 Havies seek redemption as Kandy aim to extend unbeaten run

Unbeaten Kandy Sports Club will host CR & FC at Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 9 March while Havies will return to winning formula when they host Sri Lanka Air Force at Havelock Park today (8 March).

Both these encounters in the Cup segment will be kicked off at 4 p.m. 

Havies favoured in must win contest with Air Force

Havelock SC after their defeat to their traditional rivals, CR & FC will host Sri Lanka Air Force in a must win situation if they are to have at least slight hopes for a League claim this season.

Havies already down in two games, once to unbeaten Kandy SC and last week to CR which does not give them any more chances to end on the losing side and have any hope of a league claim. With a strong pack and experienced backs, Havies have the firepower to bounce back. Led by Abdullah Faiz, they are a very well-balanced side with players such as Ajmir Fajudeen, Jayathu Rajarathna and Samuel Maduwantha being in top form. The Air Force will be looking to capitalise on their opponent’s desperation. While not among the top contenders, they have the ability to disrupt Havelock’s game plan with their physicality and counter-attacking rugby. The Air Force did extremely well to come into the Cup segment after 13 long years. Air Force are led by Rumesh Wasantha with players such as Gayantha Iddamalagoda, Darshana Dabare and Shashika Fernando being omnipresent for them this season.

Havies in their nine games have collected 43 points against the Air Force outfit collecting 29 points from the same number of matches.

Referee will be Kelum Sandaruwan.

Kandy eye sweet revenge against Reds

Having already secured their place at the top, Kandy will be playing for pride and vengeance after last year’s shock home defeat to CR, which ultimately cost them the league title. The Up-Country outfit have been in dominant form this season, sweeping aside all challenges, and will be determined to maintain their unbeaten run.

Kandy SC, led by experienced campaigners like Srinath Sooriyabandara, Tarinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte, Danushka Ranjan, Heshan Jensen, Kavindu Perera and Dahan Wickremarachchi have been in imperious form throughout the league.

Tarinda Ratwatte’s accuracy with the boot has given them a crucial edge in tight encounters with his ghosting moves being a constant occurring this season giving sleepless nights for many opposition outfits. With the passionate Nittawela crowd behind them, Kandy will be looking to put on a dominant performance in front of a packed house.

CR & FC, on the other hand, come into the fixture knowing they have what it takes to challenge Kandy on their home turf. Their biggest strength is in their forwards, with the return of powerhouse Lasindu Karunathilake expected to bolster their pack. Players like skipper, Gemunu Chetiya, Naveen Marasinghe and Mursheed Doray have been instrumental for CR this season, and their performance will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game, plus they come after a win against Park Club in their last outing.

The battle upfront is expected to be intense, as CR will likely rely on their forwards to gain dominance in the set pieces and breakdowns. Kandy’s pack, however, has been resilient throughout the season, with their Number 8, Dahan Wickramarachchi leading them from front.

Tarinda Ratwatte’s kicking game will also play a vital role in gaining territorial advantage, while Sooriyabandara’s game management from his fullback position will be pivotal in keeping Kandy’s attack structured. CR, on the other hand, will be looking to slow down Kandy’s high-tempo Kandy three quarters and force errors from the home side.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon will handle this encounter. (SJ)