Kandy to face stiff opposition from CH, CR and Havies

People should not be too quick to write off Havelocks 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league champions Kandy Sports Club will encounter stiff competition in the two rounds of the rugby league when they confront Sri Lanka Air Force on 1 December up in the hills. 

They expect tough competition, especially from CR&FC and CH&FC, who will field a formidable outfit while Havelocks is also fielding a youthful team, which could pose a major threat this year. Havelocks, operating under veteran Sanath Martis, proved their toughness last season after they went on to win the Clifford Cup despite being largely written off. They also secured the runner-up title in the league after several of their seniors shifted clubs.

The first week’s matches will kick off in Welisara on 29 November, when the Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club hosts the visiting Havies outfit in what could be a closely fought encounter. Both teams are packed with youth which could be a real asset for the national outfit. 

Havelocks will be led by Mithun Hapugoda, who turned out for the national outfit in both Sevens and Fifteens action. He has been with Havelocks for the last eight years. He will be supported by former Science College, national youth team and senior player Lasindu Karunathilake. They are also fortunate to be blessed with the services of former Thomian, youth skipper and Sevens specialist Naveen Heenakankanmge, who is back at Havelocks after his short stint at CH&FC last season. Navy will be led by former Science College player Richie Dharmapala. They also have Thilini Weerasinghe, Chathura Seneviratne, Supun Peiris and Musheen Faleel, who will look to prevent the park club from scoring freely. The game will be refereed by Aaqil Jamaldeen.

Today a strong CH&FC outfit will host the unpredictable Army SC at Racecourse. Led by Rohitha Rajapaksa, they have ample ability with Anuradha Herath, Chamra Dabare, Dushmantha Priyadhrshana, Dhirendra Ratwatte (Sr.) and Isuru Rangala in their line-up. Meanwhile, the soldiers will depend heavily on their senior players like Ashoka Jayalal, Mohamed Rizvi and Dikumubura to deliver the goods. The referee for this game will be Gihan Yatawara.

Tomorrow the CR&FC outfit, led by the sturdy Omalka Gunaratne, will host Police. CR, under Dushantha Lewke’s coaching, possess some outstanding players in their ranks in addition to their skipper, such as Wajid Fahmy, Joel Perera and Janidu Dilshan. The Cops are coached by former Royal, CR&FC and national player Asanga Rodrigo. The referee for the encounter is Priyantha Gunaratne.

On the same day, up in the hills, rugby-crazy Kandy fans will arrive in their droves to see their home team host Sri Lanka Air Force. Kandy is packed with national players, with two of their home-grown players, Tharinda Ratwatte and Kavindu Perera, set to return to Kandy to play club rugby. They will be boosted by Nigel Ratwatte’s leadership along with some top-class players such as Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Yakoob Ali, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera and Roshan Weeraratne. They will miss the services of Danushka Ranjan during their league encounters who has been sidelined with a knee injury. Sri Lanka Air Force will be led by Ranuka Medagedera with Iddamalgoda and several seniors out to give the Ratmalana outfit a good fight playing away from home in the Hills. Hasantha Weranga will referee the game.