Do-or-die game for Havelocks and Navy

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The two unbeaten clubs in the league, Navy and Havelocks, will lock horns at Havelock Park on 11 December. On the same day another grudge match is on the cards when Kandy hosts CR&FC in Nittawela.  

This week’s matches will kick-off this Saturday when unpredictable Air Force lock horns with the Soldiers in Ratmalana. Air Force, who did well this season, are placed fifth against the Army outfit which is placed sixth. Army were very unlucky to lose two matches by a single point to Navy and CR&FC. On form it will be a close battle but Army hold the edge in this game. 

On the same day last-placed CH&FC and seventh-placed Police will play at Racecourse grounds. Both teams are having a bad season and need to put up a better performance. Police hold the edge in this encounter.

Kandy, who are down in their confidence after being beaten by the sailors and earlier by the airmen, will have a tough battle against CR&FC up in Nittawela. Kandy’s forwards will need to get their act together and play as a team. Much will be expected from forwards Kishore Jahn, Buwanka Udangamuwa and Shashika Jayawardena to support their fast three quarter line which comprises players such as Lavanga Perera, Richard Dharmapala, Dhanushka Ranjan, Fazil Marija and Thilina Wijesinghe, all class acts playing at home which will suit the upcountry lads. 

Meanwhile, CR too played cohesive rugby but dropped down a bit against the cops. But a game between CR&FC and Kandy is always a close affair and pulls a major crowd whether in Kandy or Colombo. Tharinda Ratwatte, Ishan Noor, the Costa brothers and Omalka Gunaratne are out to give their best shot to improve their ranking from fourth towards the top. Kandy will be getting their former Head Coach Johan Taylor in the country by next week.  

On the same day two unbeaten teams in the league, Navy and Havelocks, will battle it out at Havelock Park. Havelocks hold a slight edge with Hirantha Perera, Sudharshan Muthuthanthri and Dulaj Perera dishing out champagne rugby for the Park Club. Navy will depend heavily on Saliya Handapangoda, Dhanushka Perera, Leeke Keegle and Thilina Weerasinghe to take them through. Former Navy Coach, Ronny Ibrahim is the current Havelocks Head Coach.