Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday, 11 February 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Havies continued their unbeaten run through a narrow win for
Sri Lanka Air Force
Havies edged out Sri Lanka Air Force
By Shamseer Jaleel
Inter-Club Rugby continues successfully in tandem with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) without a sponsor for its fourth week. In a brave move, SLR took this decision and moved forward with the tournament. At present multiple sponsorships are being discussed and very soon SLR would have a partner.
Two games which were cancelled in the tournament earlier due to COVID between CH and FC vs Police SC and Police SC vs Army SC will be played on a later date after the competition of matches in round 1. CH will host the Cops on 12 March while Police will host the Solders a week later at Police Park.
Close game expected at Welisara
This week matches will commence with the one at Welisara between the Sailors and the Red Shirts. Red Shirts are booming with confidence after their nail-biting win over the much-fancied CH and FC. Meanwhile the Sailors though doing good in their last game against Kandy ran out of time. Playing at home a slight edge is held by the home team but CR is no push over. A close encounter is excepted where the game could go either way.
Air Force hold the edge
Meanwhile Police hosting Sri Lanka Air Force at Police park will be another interesting battle. At present Police are struggling big time. This could be a comeback game for them. Meanwhile Sri Lanka Air Force playing some quality rugby though going down to Kandy and Havies in their last week game. Lads from Ratmalana hold a clear edge here.
Havies to continue the unbeaten run
The third game of the week will see the unbeaten Havies clashing with big named CH and FC at Havelock Park under lights. The park Club coached by Sanath Martis possess a young outfit with some outstanding young guns under their belt.
Led by Shenal Deelaka they have expereicned Mithun Hapugoda, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Lasindu Karunathilake and Ramesh Fernando to take them through. CH hold a much expereicned outfit but their form is yet to get in to peak. Led by Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Prasad Madushanka and Kevin Dixon they too are out to return to form in this game or will run out of time to claim the trophy this year as well.
Kandy vs Army postponed
The last game of the week-end between the defending champions, Kandy SC and Army SC which was scheduled to take place at Havelock Park was postponed to 12 March.
Kandy who remained unbeaten in their three outings were supposed to travel down to Colombo will not make it this week end as some of the players from Army camp being COVID positive. Kandy SC is yet to confirm on their acceptance on the new date. Kandy will host the Red Shirts on February 20 at their Nittawela Rugby Stadium.
Haji Omar remembered
Week 3 saw the Red Shirts hosting CH and FC and the game played for one of the legends in Sri Lanka Rugby, late Nizar Haji Omar who played for the Longdon Place club.
Omar who was the youngest to hold Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) top seat as President at the age of 38 years which stays as the youngest to hold office. He also holds the record to be the youngest President and CR and FC which he held when he was only 36 years of age. He passed away in 2009.
Haji Omar represented the national outfit from 1966-74 and led the national side in 1969. He was also the President of the SLFRU when Sri Lanka won the ‘Bowl’ competition at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sevens in 1984.
