Inter Club Rugby Week 8 likely to see close contests

By Shamseer Jaleel

Army Sports Club will be all out for a win when they confront last placed Sailors at Welisara on 31 January. They will need this win to keep their hopes alive for a Cup Segment feature in Round 2.

Army so far earned 12 points with number 6 position while the Navy are placed 9th with 5 points. Army got some outstanding players such as Ashan Bandara, Gayan Salinda and Sudaraka Dukkumbura. They are coached by experienced Shamly Nawas.

Navy SC going through one of the worst seasons are led by Stephan Gregory and got Thilina Weerasinghe, Koojana Kulasinghe and Isuru Congahawatte in their outfit but nothing has come their way this season. They are coached by Sumedha Malewana.

This encounter will be refereed by Aruna Shantha

Air Force hold the edge against debutant Sri Lions

Air Force will be in a strong position in order to make a comeback when they lock horns with 7th placed Sri Lions at Ratmalana on 1 February.

Air Force, after their heavy defeat last weekend in Central Hills against Kandy SC will be all out to improve their points and maintain their number 4 position. At present they have accumulated 17 points in their six games while Sri Lions are placed 7th with 11 points. Dharshana Dabare and Gayantha Iddamaalgoda are their two main players.

Meanwhile, Chanaka Chandimal is expected to lead the Sri Lions as Kevin Dixon is still nursing with an injury. Sri Lions did really well in their debut A Division season, knocking off highly ranked CH & FC and Navy SC with two wins. They will be focusing to maintain their top 8 position in order for Clifford Cup knockout encounter which will be worked off in March 2025 which will see the top 8 only featuring.

Their encounter against Air Force in Ratmalana will be refereed by Ishanka Abeykoon

Kandy will be tested against Police

Kandy Sports Club will be playing their third game in the steamy Colombo when they lock horns with the Police SC on 2 February at Police Park.

Kandy won all their home games comfortably but were tested to the maximum at the two Colombo encounters against Havies and CH & FC. 

In the Havies game, they won courtesy of an injury time try by Dinal Ekanayake. Playing in Colombo, the Central Hills outfit always hated as the steamy Colombo conditions did not suit them. Kandy will be at full strength for this game with the return of Nigel Ratwatte recovering from an injury. Jensen, Nigel, Soori, Ranjan, Kavindu, Tari and Dinal all at their peak.

Their forwards were mobile and fast. Hooker, Dilshard Fareed, Dayan Wickremarachchi both being top of their games. 

Cops are led by Mohan Wimalaratne with Lahiru Thilakaratne, Hirantha Perera and Akash Madushanka are their key players. Playing at home, Cops should have an edge but lasting the full 80 minutes is a huge task plus their bench does not look that strong which will be a major concern for their coach, Nilfer Ibrahim.

Referee Kelum Sandaruwan will handle this encounter.

CR and Havies battle it out for Matthysz Memorial Cup

Unbeaten defending League champions, CR & FC will be hosting Havies in their annual encounter played for Matthysz Trophy on 2 February at Havelock Park. The trophy was first presented in 1995 where Havies beat CR 24/18. But active participation for the shield commenced in 2004 where Red Shirts continued safe keeping till 2012. CR are leading on the tally.

CR led by Gemunu Chetiya had an outstanding season so far with their bench showing a lot of promise and in the last 20 minutes of each game they have opened the floodgates of tries in most of their matches played so far. 

Adeesha Weerathunge, Mursheed Doray, Rushen Bandaranayake were on top. They are coached by Dushantha Lewke.

Havies lost out to Kandy after leading for most part of the game. They are led by Faiz Abdullah and they have a great side. Azmir Fajudeen, Samuel Maduwantha, Jayathu Rajarathna have been in outstanding form for the Park Club. Their defeat to Kandy is going to cost them dearly as they were expecting the League this time around. 

Coached by Saliya Kumara they will be expecting a win here.

Referee Gihan Yatawara will handle this game.

Ladies’ encounter between the two teams will be kicked off at 2 p.m.