Kandy hold slight edge over CR

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Defending Clifford Cup champions, Kandy Sports Club will travel down to Colombo for one last time this season when they confront CR & FC in the finals of the Clifford Cup championship which will be worked off on 26 March at the Race Course rugby grounds.

The game is scheduled at 4/30 p.m. but if a sponsor is found this encounter will be worked off under lights.

Kandy reached the final with an easy win over CH & FC (89/7) and encountered a tougher challenge in the semi final encounter against the Sailors winning it 37/27. This encounter saw Kandy being tested on fitness to the best where the Sailors looked a fitter outfit but thanks to the first half score of 34/10 Kandy were able to reach the grand-final to defend the title once more. Kandy have won this knock out on no less than 19 occasions.

CR & FC had a close quarter final against the Solders winning it 35/26 and the semi final encounter they faced their traditional rivals Havies who are celebrating their centenary in 2016. This encounter was close as ever as expected by all with the game ending in a nail bitter win for the “Red Shirts” 34/27.

Kandy SC will travel down to Colombo for the 8th time this season which is several times more than other clubs who travel up to Kandy for their league will face stiffer challenge from the young blood and full of energy “Red Shirts” outfit coached by the most knowledgeable man in the country none other than Imthiam Marrikar. The former Trinity rugby “Lion” who played in the 1987 unbeaten and outstanding side, later on ended his rugby career at Kandy SC having represented the country both in the shorter and longer version of the oval shaped ball game. CR led by Ishan Noor, hardy player, will have some outstanding players in their starting line-up. Kavindu Perera, Shasan Mohamed, Tharinda Ratwatte, Kanchana Ramanayake, Costa brothers and full back Prince Chamara could be a threat for the Up Country side. The Longdon place club will heavily depend on the kicking abilities of Prince Chamara to put over the penalty kicks and to find touch in order to gain much needed territorial advantage to put pressure on Kandy.

Kandy SC will see the return of their skipper and play maker Fazil Marija to his pet position as fly half. This will see Nigel Ratwatte moving to defend the last line as full back. Their three quarter line will have the best in the country. Gayan Weeraratne, Richard Dharmapala, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Oshan Perera and Srinarth Sooriyabandara all being class acts. Roshan Weeraratne will operate from the base of the scrum could be replaced by Sooriyabandara in the later half. Their pack is led by rock solid Buwanaka Udangamuwa and well supported by Sayuru Anthony and Kishore Jahn. Kandy are coached by former Trinitian, Sean Wijesinghe who will get involved on a full time basis with his alma mater after this vital encounter.

Kandy won this century old trophy on a consecutive period of 10 years between 1995 to 2005 (competition was not held in 1998) and another six consecutive years between 2007 and 2012. CR & FC have won this trophy on 14 occasions the last being in 2006.