Kandy and CR under at home games

By Shamseer Jaleel

Both the defending champions, Kandy Sports Club and one of the major title contenders for the League, CR and FC are the only two unbeaten sides so far who will be all out to continue their winning streak in the Nippon Paint Inter Club Rugby league encounters which will move to week 3 games, commencing today.

The Red Shirts are expected to have easy work at home, but Kandy could go through some tough moments before overcoming a spirited Cops outfit at Nittawela later at expected sell out on Sunday crowd at Nittawela Rugby Stadium. 

CR led by Suhiru Anthony played well so far defeating Army SC 55/8 and overcame Police SC after a very late second half burst with three tries to beat home team 19/6. It was the Cops who led most part of the encounter but could not prevail in the end. The Red Shirts missed out on a bonus point which could be costly later in the tournament. Adeesha Weerathunge, Murshid Zubair and Gemunu Chethiya are expected to be at their best to continue their winning ways plus play their first home match. CR is under the watchful eyes of their Head Coach Dushantha Lewke.

Sri Lanka Air Force under Parakrama Ratnayake will be expected to be at their best to contain the fast-running CR three quarter line. Given the space to run for CR, the visitors could run into trouble. Saraka Warella and Shenal Fernando will need to be at their best under their Head Coach Asela Deshapariya who is in his maiden year of club rugby. They beat Navy in their week 2 before going down to Havies in their opener.

CH put up a brave effort last weekend when they defeated a much-fancied Havelock SC. CH full back, Hirusha Sampath the former Kingswoodian was in sparkling form in both their games against Kandy and Havelock. Avishka Lee led the outfit who gave a sound warning not to write them off as they too are a top contender for the League trophy. They are coached by one of the best XV a side material Sanath Martis.

Meanwhile Sailors under Viper (Jnr) Gunaratne will be at home expecting for their first win under Thilina Weerasinghe. The Navy is full of freshers who could go through some tough times to contain the fast-moving CH outfit. Isuru Congahawatte is their standout player and along with the former Wesley player Shabith Musheen, in their outfit.

Havelock and Army game could be a close encounter though Army lost both their games to CR and Kandy they put up a brave effort in their second game against the defending champions putting the Up Country lads under severe pressure in the initial half.  Azmir Fajudeen led Havies will need to do their basic correct and the defence should be at their best as the Soldiers got a fast running three quarter line. Their Head Coach Saliya Kumara should come out with a better plan as this game could be vital for the Park Club. Led by Ashan Bandara and supported by Nalaka Maduranga, Soldiers are all out to give a good account of themselves under Shamly Nawas.

Kandy SC will be playing their second home outing when they host the Cops at Nittawela. Led by Lavanga Perera with their experienced backs Kandy could run riot at Nittawela. Their forwards would be tested to the maximum with a lot of freshers in their outfit. Tarinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte, Diluksha Dange and Srinarth Sooriyabandara are expected to be at their best with their forwards Thilina Bandara and Dilshard Fareed being stand out players, in fact their Hooker, Dilshard played a grand game in the later half to help the Kandy outfit against the Soldiers away in Panagoda.

Police could be under severe pressure if they don’t contain Kandy’s three-quarter line.  They too have some good players under their belt with Hirantha Perera and Mithun Hapugoda both crossed over to the Cops unit which will make a huge difference.

This battle between the two sides will see the coaching staff being the two cousins, Nilfer Ibrahim (Police SC) and Fazil Marija (Kandy SC) both products from Kingswood battling it out in the playing field.

Fixtures this week

15 Dec

CR and FC vs Air Force at Longdon place

Referee Raveen Alexander

16 Dec

Navy SC vs CH and FC at Welisara

Referee Gihan Yatawara

Havelock SC vs Army SC at Havelock Park (L)

Referee Aruna Shantha

17 Dec

Kandy SC vs Police SC at Nittawela

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon