CR hold the edge over Cops

By Shamseer Jaleel

High-riding CR & FC will face real test when they lock horns with Police outfit smarting from their defeat against Kandy last weekend. This will be a crucial game for the “Red Shirts” not being beaten in any of their second round encounters.

Weekend proceedings will commence today (5) when Air Force host the Sailors at Ratmalana. Air Force still to come out with a win but improving as a unit but without the finishing touches. They will need to get the basic correct and play as a unit if they are to come out on top against the opponents, while on Navy was very unlucky to end their Havies encounter in a tie. 

Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) should look in to the matter of power failure not once twice this season at Havelock Park. Also the other teams have no exposure playing under lights and Havies are at an advantage. The option of playing under lights should be given to the visiting teams, not to the hosts. Navy hold a clear edge over Air Force. Referee Sarath Madugalle will handle the whistle.

Tomorrow (6) there will be three games down for decision in Colombo. Defending league and Clifford Cup champions Kandy Sports Club will be in Colombo for the second last time this season when they lock horns with the Solders. 

This game at Air Force grounds in Ratmalana should be a one horse race for the up country team though facing with injuries to three of their leading players. Skipper Fazil Marija, Lavanga Perera and Gayan Ratnayake, all three sidelined due to injuries, will miss this encounter but they have ample replacements which will not cause any problems for the outfit. Leading referee in Sri Lanka Dinka Peiris will handle the whistle at this game.

Havies will host CH&FC at Havelock Park which should not cause any issue for the Park club to come out with a win. Irshard Cader will blow this game. The last game this week will be a cracker at Longdon Place between CR&FC and the Cops. CR&FC led by rock solid Ishan Noor got some class acts under their belt. 

Players such as Shashan Mohamed, Ashan Costa, Lochana Hettirachchi, Tharinda Ratwatte and Prince Chamara will make life difficult for the Cops, while the Police too poses some very talent players such as Musheen Faleel, Radhesha Senrathne, Reza Mubarak and Bilal Hassen. Reza playing as a full back being outstanding in attack and defense put over some very good points for the Cops through penalty kicks and try conversions. This encounter will be controlled by Priyantha Gunaratne.