Defending champions Kandy SC is well ahead with nine points from the second placed Havelock’s. Last week’s draw against the Sailors trimmed down the chances of narrowing the gap for the men in Pink.
Air Force v Navy 05.02.2016 (Friday) KO: 4.00pm @Ratmalana
These two teams kicked off the Dialog rugby Season in November where the Sailors won comfortably with 38 – 08 in Welisara. Since then it was not so comfortable for Navy in the middle as they could not be consistent with winning performances. However, their young recruits are doing well and learning with the senior men in the team. Last week Navy showed some courageous performances even without the former captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa in the team.
Former Kingswoodian Thilina Weerasinghe the navy full back has been playing the game of his life this season. Currently he is the highest point’s scorer with T3 C17 P13 amounting to a tally of 88. He may perhaps find a bit tough kicking at the uprights this Friday as the wind flows in one direction at the Air Force Ground. On the other hand Air Force Charith Senavirathne and Gayantha Iddamalgoda have found some individual form despite their star player Nuwan Perera not being able to impress in the last game. It will be interesting to see whether the airmen could provide some X factor to upset the traveling seamen.
Ones to watch – Nuwan Perea (Air Force / Full Back) – Thilina Weerasinghe (Navy / Full Back)
Score Prediction : Navy win by 8
CR&FC v Police 06.04.2016 (Saturday) KO:4.00 pm @Longdon Place
In the first round clash CR won 22 – 12 after a very close 14 – 12 half time tally. This game is the battle between the 3rdand 4th in the table although CR is well ahead with 41 points to the Cops 30. But Police will play without Bilal Hassen due to a shoulder injury, however, Henry Terrence and Mohamed Sheriff might play this Saturday against their former club.
The Reds are delighted with re-introduction of Tharinda Ratwatte returning after a Dengue lay-off. But that will perhaps put Ashan De Costa and Nanayakkara in the center combination with Kanchana Ramanayake to start at full back or on the bench while Prince Chamara starts. CR flanker Sasankha Ariyarathne is finding some late form in to the season and young Tariq Salih seems to be blossoming. Scrum half Dilan Zoysa was outstanding in the game against Navy a fortnight ago. They have Kavindu De Costa back in the team which is another luxury for Imthi Marikar’s team, but their opposite number Mohamed Abzal and Sudam Sooriarachchi too will be tough to handle.
This game could go either way but the result may be decided by the in the discipline at the breakdowns and kicking at the uprights. Although the hosts look favourites, the Cops do have a formidable unit to crash the Reds’ party.
Ones to watch : Banuka Nanayakkara (CR / Center) Rizah Mubarak (Police / Full Back)
Score Prediction : CR win by 2
Army v Kandy 06.04.2016 (Saturday) KO: 4.00 pm @Air Force Ground
Kandy will travel down to Colombo this week with sheer confidence despite the absence of the veteran Fazil Marija. The defending champions beat the Soldier in round one with 44 – 08 points. Experienced Roshan Weerarathne is leading the team in the rest of the tournament. However, they have moved Nigel Ratwatte from full back to outside half as cover for Marija. As a result Danush Dayan got the starting call up against Police last week.
Kandy looks a complete cohesive unit with their forwards, backs and the bench players coming together. Sean Wijesinghe, the former captain and the current coach could not have asked for more with the talent in depth in their squad. Last week’s hat-trick hero Richard Dharmapala will be looking at the same running game.
Army pulled a stunner over Navy in week two, but since then they could not sustain the winning formula. They have the talent but seem unable to get on with their game plan for 80 minutes which has been a real issue, but former Vidyartha player Ashan Bandara has been a revelation at the pivotal no 10 spot for the Soldiers. Gayan Salinda was struggling after the early performances in the season and once again his kick will be tested at this game will be played at the Air Force grounds with the wind.
Ones to watch – Asoka Jayalal (Army / Prop) – Kishore Jehan (Kandy / Prop)
Score Prediction : Kandy win by 10
Havelock’s v CH&FC 06.04.2016 (Saturday) KO: 4.00 pm @ Havelock Park
The Park club scored their highest points this season in the first round against CH with a 78 – 11 win. This week perhaps they will be looking to extent that stat, but CH & FC has really improved despite their losses and will take the fight to the men in pink. What CH lacks is their defense more than the attack. It is not a lot of time they will have the ball possession in the 80 minutes. Therefore, if they can produce a better defense they could reduce the final score.
Havelock’s probably had the laziest outing last week where they tied with a 20 all draw against Navy. Power failure also played a part in that night, as a result this game is moved for an early start.
Ones to watch – Rehan Theyagarajah (Havelock’s / Wing)
