Police to play Navy in league opener today

Kandy should have a cake walk in their opener

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 2016/2017 club rugby league will kick off today with Police hosting Navy at Police Park.

Police finished fourth last season with Navy ending one place below them. Police will depend heavily on Musheen Faleel, Reza Rafaideen, Mohamed Abzal and skipper Achala Perera. The cops lost their star player Sharo Fernando to Havelocks this season. Navy too do not posses many high calibre players and will depend on Chanaka Chandimal, Dinusha Chathuranga and Suranga Pushpakumara to guide them through to a win and set up a strong platform for them this season.

The match will be refereed by Aruna Rankothge

Due to unavailability of grounds, defending League and Clifford Cup champions Kandy will host the inexperienced CH&FC at Nittawela tomorrow. Kandy will be playing without several of their stars due to a slew of injuries. This will give the bench much needed exposure for the season. Shehan Pathirana, Fazil Marija, Nigel Ratwatte and Gayan Weeraratne are all doubtful starters for this encounter. Dhanushka Ranjan, Jason Dissanayake and Kanchana Ramanayake will make their 15s debut for the up country club. The match will be refereed by Rohan Fernando.

Second-placed Havelocks will be hosted by the Air Force at Ratmalana tomorrow. Havelocks have lost a number of players and will be all out to bounce back and have a good start to the season. Havelocks lost their star Dhanushka Ranjan to Kandy but Sudharshan Muthuthanthri, Hirantha Perera, Kevin Dixon and Dulaj Perera will be at their peak for this game. The Airmen will depend heavily on Charith Seneviratne and fullback Nuwan Perera to close the gap. Priyantha Gunaratne will referee this game.

A young CR&FC unit will be hosted by Army at the racecourse rugby grounds on 6 November. Although the Red Shirts lost Jason Dissanayake and Kanchana Ramanayake they have some class acts in their line-ups. 

Omalka Gunaratne, Tharinda Ratwatte and Rochana Hettitarachchi are sure to give their best. Though Army has no big names, they will be all out to start their season on a winning note. Dinka Peiris will officiate this game.