Kandy to meet CH in tense encounter

Dialog Inter-Club League 2017/2018 

By Shamseer Jaleel 

Kandy, the defending league champions who have already taken custody of this year’s trophy, will meet CH&FC at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium this weekend. 

The upcountry outfit already have an unassailable lead of 17 points over the second-placed Havelocks outfit. This game could turn out to be physical affair as several former Navy players will be turning out for the CH outfit, including their past coach Ronny Ibrahim, who is the Rugby Director at the Colombo 7 Club. 

The encounter between Kandy and CH will be a closely-fought battle with the Colombo outfit sporting some very talented players in their starting line-up. Lee Keegale, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Sajith Saranga, Sathya Ranathunge, the Lee brothers and Samuel Maduwantha are all game-changers. In fact, Maduwantha will be a key player in helping to gain a much-needed territorial advantage which will help them attack from their opposition’s half. His penalty kicks and kicks at goal will be vital if CH are to give a good account of themselves. While on the other hand Kandy is near impossible to beat at home. 

Their home matches being played  on Saturday has kept away many thousands from the ground, with the gate collection being poor compared to the Nittawela Club’s usual standards, with it housing a minimum of 5,000 spectators for each game played on a Sunday. 

Their three-quarter line is simply outstanding. Ranjan, Dharmapala, Nigel, Fazil, Thilina and Gayan are all second to none and they will attack even from their own goal line. Even their forwards led by Shehan Pathirana, Yakoob Ali and Sayuru Anthony, although being thoroughly tested, survived multiple challenges this season. 

Going on form Kandy should make it home safely. Roshan Weeraratne will be missed today as he gets married in Kandy. Sooriyabandara will operate from the base. Kandy have already signed former Antonian and UAE national player, Imad Riyal. He is likely to represent the upcountry club for the last two league matches and three Clifford Cup knockout games in Kandy. 

Army hold the edge 

Army SC after several defeats in their last few games will be firing on all cylinders to get back into the top five. After a good first round where they occupied the third spot they have dropped down to sixth. Only Air Force and Police are behind them. Nilfer Ibrahim’s outfit lost focus and their losing streak continued. 

Army will depend heavily on Ashoka Jayalal, Gayan Salinda and Mohamed Rizvi who will be returning after his suspension. Air Force, who occupy the number seven slot ahead of only Police, will have Charith Seneviratne and Iddamalgoda to guide them. 

Charith is one of the best kickers in club rugby, having converted some very good penalties from tough angles. Their centre three-quarters will be headed by former Antonian player Seelagama, who is lightning fast. Army should pull off a win in what could be a close encounter. 

Havies favoured 

to continue winning streak 

Havelocks should have things their own way when they meet last-placed Police. Although Police has some top class players such as Sanedhs Abeywickrema and Wajid Fahmy, as a unit they are still to click over the full 80 minutes. 

In the majority of their games they have produced their best rugby in the last few minutes and have paid the price for leaving things too late. This was evident in their games against CH (30-30) and CR (31-33), both of which could have gone Police’s way. 

Havies will see Nishon Perera, Sharo Fernando, Kevin Dixon, Muller and Reza Bubarak at their peak. Dixon is likely to make a comeback from a jaw injury which he sustained in a round one game against CH. Havies should have things their own way and maintain their number two position in the league. 

Navy hold the edge 

Navy, who occupy third position behind Kandy and Havelocks, are favoured to pull this through. Led by Dhanushka Perera, they are well supported by Dulanjana Wijesinghe and Thilina Weerasinghe. 

Navy are tough to beat in Welisara. CR on the other hand have a young outfit with an average age of around 23 years and will be looking for Gavin Jayasinghe, Tharinda Ratwatte, Omalka Gunaratne, Shahan Mohamed and Tariq Salih to be at the top of their game. Although there is hardly any difference between both sides in terms of experience, Navy will be slightly favoured to pull off a win and maintain their number three  position before meeting defending champions Kandy at home in a week.

Imad Reyal to play for Kandy SC?

Former Antonian, Trinity, and UAE national rugby player, Imad Reyal is likely to represent the home town, Kandy Sports Club in the Clifford Cup rugby tournament to be worked off next month in Kandy. Although he is nursing an ankle injury, with timely recovery he may represent the Kandy jersey in the three matches in the Clifford Cup, which will be worked off in Kandy during February this year.

Reyal, who represented Katugastota Antonians and then shifted to Trinity to represent the school in sevens rugby, later moved to UAE to play for the national outfit. He was a sevens sensation, his pet position being scrum half. In the Gulf, Reyal played in the UAE Premiership with Jebel Ali Dragons and subsequently spent a season playing in Auckland, having initially travelled there on a scholarship to attend a rugby academy. He represented Bay of Plenty and almost played in the ITM Cup, but due to visa issues was asked to return to UAE.  (SJ)