Nippon Paint Inter Club Rugby league 2022/2023 Last first round hurdle for Kandy SC

Havelock SC is a must win home game against Kandy in order to keep their Cup hopes alive

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending League Champions, Kandy Sports Club will play their last first round game in Colombo when they lock horns with one of the title contenders of the League, Havelock Sports Club on 28 January at the Havelock Park.

This blockbuster encounter is expected to Kick-off is scheduled at 4 p.m. and expected to be a sell-out crowd at the Park.

Kandy SC originally led by Hooker Damith Dissanayake got injured along with another six of their forwards looked relatively an inexperienced outfit but to-date remained unbeaten winning all their six matches played so far under their Head Coach Fazil Marija who had done a grand job with the junior outfit. Due to Damith’s absence, the side is expected to be led by Lavanga Perera.

Their playmaker in forwards being the former Antonian player Praveen Charles being outstanding. His defence as well in attack plus playing the entire game at full pace and power being the difference between the champions and the other teams among clubs. Fahmy, Thilina Bandara and Dhanapala were good this season for the up-country outfit. In the three-quarter line they showed experience but still to see the lightning fast moves they are used to showing at games. With the Linkman, Heshan Jansen which pushed Sooriyabandara to full back position. Tharinda Ratwatte, Nigel Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera and Dhanushka Ranjan being in one team is a dream of a coach. If space given Park Club could fall into trouble.

Meanwhile Havies will depend heavily on Abdullah Fayiz, Azmir Fajudeen, Christian de Lile, Vimukthi Rahula, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Mithun Hapugoda. Hapugoda is expected to show his second half magic while the former Peterite fly half, Sandesh Jayawickrema so far had an outstanding season. His kick at goal was on top which supported the Havies outfit to attack from opposition half most of the time. Park Club so far faced two shock defeats at the hands of their traditional rivals, CR and FC and Police. They cannot afford to lose any more as a win here will put them in a good shape for round two.

The Navy Sports Club and Air Force Sports Club clash will decide the fourth team in the Cup segment for round two. This encounter will be played at Welisara with the Sailors looking strong for a win. Meanwhile Police and CH will clash at Police Park, but both the teams do not have a chance for the next round Cup but for the Plate.

CR who jumped to second place after their win against Navy SC and Havies shock defeat to the Cops will play Army SC at Longdon Place. Both Kandy and CR are differentiated with four points with either of the teams cannot afford to lose a single game now onwards. Kandy will have an advantage of playing two of their second round Cup segment games against Havelock SC and CR at Nittawela. The top four teams after week four will play in the Cup Segment while the bottom four teams will battle it out for the Plate event.

Jan 27

Navy SC vs Air Force at Welisara

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon

Jan 28

Havelock SC vs Kandy at Havelock Park

Referee Gihan Yatawara

Police vs CH and FC at Police Park

Referee   Aruna Shantha

Jan 29

CR and FC vs Army SC at Longdon Place

Referee Raveen Alexander