Police to make comeback

By Shamseer Jaleel

Police Sports Club will make every effort to make a bold comeback when they lock horns in their fifth week of the Mastercard Inter Club Rugby Football encounter when they confront last placed Navy Sports Club at Welisara today (10 January).

Kick-off is at 3:45 p.m.

Led by experienced Mohan Wimalaratne and well supported by Akasha Madushanka, Hirantha Perera and Lahiru Thilkaratne they are a formidable outfit but yet to hit the peak. They lost out to Army SC in a shortened game, CH and FC and Havies. They are coached by Nilfer Ibrahim.

Meanwhile Sailors coached by Sumedha Malewana the former Vidyartha head coach too are looking for their very first win in the season. They too got some good players such as skipper Thilina Weerasinghe, Stephan Greogory and Shabith Musheen, the former Wesley player.

According to the form, Cops should pull it off but will come through some tough times in front of the home team supporters at Welisara.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon will officiate in this encounter.

Close encounter expected at CH vs. Army 

The game between CH & FC and Army Sports Club will be a closely contested affair at the Race Course ground.

CH after their shocking defeat at the hands of Sri Lions are hoping to make a bold comeback. They lost out to Air Force, Kandy SC and beat Police SC. They need to put up a brave effort to make it to the Cup segment during round 2. Led by Janidu Dilshan and their play maker Mohamed Absal. CH are coached by Sanath Martis.

Meanwhile Army SC are led by Nalaka Maduranga. Sudaraka Dikkumbura, Ashen Bandara and Manjula Wwerasinghe are star studded players in their outfit. Soldiers are coached by veteran Shamli Nawas. Army beat Police and Sri Lions while losing out to Kandy SC and CR & FC.

Referee Kelum Sandaruwan will officiate.

Havies to return to winning ways

Havies after leading most part of their game against Kandy Sports Club lost out during the injury time will be all out to return back to their winning ways when they confront debutants, Sri Lions Sports Club in a home game.

Led by Abdullah Faiz, they possess some outstanding players such as Azmir Fajudeen, Jayathu Rajaratne, Musheen Faleel and Samuel Maduwantha. They are coached by experienced Saliya Kumara.

Meanwhile Kevin Dixon will lead the Sri Lions outfit who got some class acts under their outfit and are looking forward to improving in their ranking.

This encounter will see the former Seethawaka MV and Air Force player, Nalin Lasantha making his debut into top division rugby as a referee. Havies also returned back to day games as their lights issues are yet to be sorted out.

CR to continue winning streak

CR & FC will play their first away game when they lock horns with Sri Lanka Air Force at Ratmalana.

Red Shirts, the defending champions started off well by beating Navy SC, Sri Lions and Army SC all played at Longdon Place under floodlights. They will come up with some spirited fight back by Air Force who beat CH and Navy SC while losing out to Havies in their three games. They have a strong unit. Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Pramod Pathmashanka, skipper, Rumesh Wasantha and Ishara Madushan are the leading players.

Meanwhile Red Shirts will have Gemunu Chethiya as their skipper. Mursheed Doray, Omalka Gunaratne and Rushen Bandaranayake and Adeesha Weerathunge will be their stars. They will miss out on their number 8, Lasindu Karunathilake due to an injury in their last outing.

Referee Raveen Alexander will officiate.