Kandy out to defend rugby double

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club will be in Colombo for their opening game against CH&FC on 4 November under the leadership of national Sevens player Gayan Weeraratne. 

Weeraratne missed out on the leadership role due to his injuries several years ago but was in action against a UAE club team but missed out on the Singapore national team encounter. Kandy was fortunate to have some good warm-up encounters, playing two games against the visiting UAE outfit and the Singapore national team two weeks ago.

Kandy will sport the same side which represented them last year. Fazil Marija will be playing his last season for the upcountry outfit after announcing his retirement from XV and Sevens rugby. Shehan Pathirana, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Dhanushka Ranjan, Roshan Weerarane, Nigel Ratwatte, Arshard Jamaldeen, Damith Dissnayake, Yakoob Ali, Sayuru Anthony, Richard Dharmapala, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera and Anurudha Wilwara will present a major hurdle for every club team this season. This is a very disciplined outfit which will be tough to beat at home or away. The club is also fortunate to have the sponsorship and support of its rugby promoter and trustee Malik Samarawickrema. They will be once again coached by former Trinity and national Fifteens skipper Sean Wijesinghe. Lasantha Wijesuirya will operate as their rugby chairman while the hardworking Kapila Silva will functions as their Team Manager.

CR out to regain lost pride

CR&FC will be all out to prove a point when they come out to meet the Sri Lanka Air Force outfit in their opening game away from home on 5 November in Ratmalana. The Red Shirts will be led by former Vidyartha and national Sevens payer Kavindu Perera.

CR&FC have won the Clifford Cup on 12 occasions and the league tournament 11 times. They last won the Clifford Cup in 2006 under Pavithra Fernando and the league title in 1998 under the leadership of Champika Nishantha.

CR will have some outstanding players who have done well at the school and national level. They possess talent such as Reza Rafaideen, Chamod Fernando and Harith Bandara who are all top-class players that did well at the school and junior national level. 

Skipper Perera will have his town-mate and former Trinity Lion Tharinda Ratwatte as his deputy. This will add a lot of power to the three-quarter line where Ratwatte was outstanding last season, earning him the national Sevens jersey.

CR&FC will be coached by Fijian Fereti Verabula. He will be supported by Viraj Prasanna as the forwards coach and Dushanth Lewke as their Head Trainer. Former Sri Lanka Sevens specialist Mohamed Mushtaq will be the Team Manager.