Inter Club Rugby Tournament 2024/2025 Week 7

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Inter Club Rugby Tournament Week 7 will kick off with two matches down for decision on 25 January and another two matches to be played on 26 January. Three games will be played off in Colombo while Kandy will play their last first round home encounter at Nittawela on 26 January

Close call with CH host Havies

The much-awaited encounter between CH and Havies will be worked off on 25 January at Racecourse Ground with the CH & FC outfit badly looking out for a win in order to secure number 4 and feature in the Cup segment during the Super Round encounters. CH will come across some stiff competition as both Army SC and Air Force SC too are chasing for this number 4 at the end of Round 1.

CH are currently placed in fifth position accumulating 14 points in their six encounters. Led by Janidu Dilshan, they have a very good outfit but took time to settle down which cost them till now. Janith Chandimal, Mohamed Absal being omnipresent this season but CH lost many of their players for other clubs this season.

Havies accumulating 30 points out of their six games are guaranteed with a Cup segment berth in Super Round and they are led by Faiz Abdullah, the former Peterite who is having an outstanding season this time around. They are having some top players such as Azmir Fajudeen, Samuel Maduwantha and Jayathu Rajarathna being top in their game so far. Mohamed Rifan from the base of the scrum was outstanding with some super moves which put the other opponent’s outfits under pressure and kept thinking about his next course of action.

This encounter will be officiated Ishanka Abeykoon.

CR to continue unbeaten run

CR will be out for their sixth win this season when they confront Police SC at Longdon Place on 25 January. This encounter will be kicked off at 6:30 p.m. playing under lights.

CR, defending champions collected 5 bonus points accumulating 30 points while Cops are placed seventh with only 8 points going through one of the tough seasons so far. A win is a must for their Cup segment plus fourth place finish after Round 1 but looks a tough task.

CR will have their number 8, Lasindu Karunatilake back in the starting line-up recovering from his injury. Led by Gemunu Chetiya who will be playing his 50th game for Red Shirts will have Venura Kodagoda, Mursheed Zubair and Omalka Gunaratne in their outfit who are play makers for the Longdon Place Club.

The Police led by Mohan Wimalaratne possess some top-quality players such as Hirantha Perera, Lahiru Thilakaratne and Bulathsinghala in their outfit.

This encounter will be refereed by Aruna Shantha.

Sri Lions hold the edge against Navy

Newcomers, Sri Lions will be all out for their second win this season when they confront last placed Navy Sports Club at Welisara on 26 January.

Sri Lions led by former Peterite, Kevin Dixon won against CH & FC which was their maiden one. They are placed 8th out of their 5 games played so far collecting 5 points. But Sri Lions are hit by injury worries. Kevin looks like a doubtful starter.

Sailors going through one of their worst seasons are placed last out of their five matches played so far collecting only 3 bonus points but yet to register a single win.

Kelum Sandaruwan will officiate this encounter.

Kandy to continue winning streak

Kandy Sports Club who are determined to reclaim the Inter Club League Trophy will play their last first round home encounter at Nittawela when they host the high riding and flying, Sri Lanka Air Force on 26 January. Kick-off is at 4 p.m.

Kandy so far dominated in their five games scoring at will at home against Sri Lions, Army SC and Navy SC scoring over half a century plus scores in each of their three games. But away in steamy Colombo they always find it tough. CH & FC and Havies have both been tough. As in the past Kandy is a tough side to be contained specially when playing at home in front of their hard-core fans from Central. They will be a huge advantage as their Super Round games against Havies and CR to be played in the Central Hills will give them a major edge.

Led by Soori, Kandy will be at full strength with the return of Kavindu Perera, Tarinda Ratwatte and Nigel Ratwatte back into the starting XV as the home team will not take the Air Force lightly. Their forwards play very good fast rugby as they are very mobile this will be a major threat to the Ratmalana outfit. Heshan Jensen will operate from the base while Kenula Hettiarachchi and Thilina Bandara look in good form and were lightning fast on the loose ball. They are coached by Fazil Marija with Terence Henry their forwards coach.

Air Force will be having some very good players such as Shashika Fernando, Sharaka Werella, Darshana Dabare and Gayantha Iddamalgoda being top form this season. Asela Deshapriya is their Head Coach.

Kandy are on 29 points after playing five games while Air Force after playing the same number of matches are at 17 points placed third.

Referee Raveen Alexander will officiate in this encounter.