Kandy has already secured the title so the only thing to look for this weekend is whether they can remain unbeaten.
Police will host Army on Saturday in which promises to be another thriller between the 5th and 6th placed teams. CR&FC will play against Air Force at Longdon Place but before that Navy will host the underdogs CH&FC this Friday.
Navy v CH&FC 26.02.2016 (Friday) KO: 4.30pm @ Welisara
The Sailors have had a few disciplinary issues in the dying stages of the league but this game may bring them momentum to finish on a high. They have so much young talent in the squad, particularly the 11 school leavers from Isipathana College. In this game most of them will probably get a run as they take on CH&FC who are at the bottom of the league table. Although there are no big names in the CH team, they have played with loads of courage. Navy won the first round game between the two sides 67 – 06. Thilina Weerasinghe, Navy full back, has scored 120 points this season and without a doubt he will remain as the top points scorer at the end of Dialog Rugby League 2015/16 season.
Ones to watch: Stephan Gregory (Navy / Prop) – Inzam Irfan (CH / Prop)
Score Predictions: Navy to win by 20+
Police v Army 27.02.2016 (Saturday) KO: 4.30pm @Police Park
Well it will be a definite cracker of a game. There were 13 tries scored in the game between these two teams in the first round where Police edged the Soldiers 47-45. Police winger Reezah Raffaideen will remember that game more than anyone as he scored 4 tries in Diyagama. Radeesha Senavirathne, the man in form for Police, is yet to get the verdict on his inquiry for the red card offence against Air Force last week. Mushin Faleel will also miss this game due to an ankle injury and that will leave the Cops’ defense in check. The good news is that Joel Perera and Shawket Lahir are back from injury and that will strengthen the back row despite Radeesha’s and Bilal Hassen’s absence.
The Soldiers have probably played better rugby as a team than the Cops this season. Captain Asoka Jayalal has marshalled his troops well. Certainly they are not a team that should finish in 6th place, therefore they will try everything to beat the Cops and make it to 5th place. Dinushan Ariyapala has been the unsung hero in the center field while Gayan Salinda is currently 12 points behind Thilina Weerasinghe of Navy in terms of points. Winger Sudaraka Dikkumbura is also a silent killer with his speed.
Ones to watch: Chula Susantha (Police / wing-Center) – Ashan Bandara (Army / fly half)
Score prediction: Army SC win by 3
CR&FC v Air Force 27.02.2016 (Saturday) KO: 4.30pm @CR&FC
A second half riot saw a 46 – 15 win for the Reds in Ratmalana in the first round. CR will be determined to win this game and end the season in third place. Air Force have played well in the first half but they have not carried that momentum for the full 80 minutes. Gayantha Iddamalgoda, who usually plays as Fly half has started as a scrum half in the last two games. Although he was sending quick balls, there wasn’t enough team work in terms of attack and defence. Tarinda Ratwatte who started against Havelocks last week will perhaps play 80 minutes to get some game time after a long layoff after contracting dengue. Coach Inthi Marikkar will try some of his bench players to gain some experience.
Ones to watch: Jason Dissanayake (CR / Flanker) – Nuwan Perera (AF/Full back)
Score prediction: CR&FC to win by 10+
Kandy v Havelocks 28.02.2016 (Sunday) KO: 4.30 pm @Nittawela
Havelocks will be at full strength but the question remains whether they can stop Kandy’s unbeaten run. The first round score was 8 – 18 in favour of Sean Wijesinghe’s men. Kandy also averages 6 tries per game, having scored 80 tries in 13 games. The atmosphere is always electrifying at Nittawela and this would perhaps be the last game for the national and Havelock’s center Dhanushka Ranjan in the pink jersey. (Unless he plays in the knock-outs) as he is tipped to join Kandy SC next season. Niroshan Fernando will start at 10, which gives a lot of confidence to coach Laga’s team. Laga himself played two seasons in Kandy and coached 2 seasons and he knows the Kandy setup in and out.
Skipper Fazil Marija’s absence is clearly being felt but Nigel Ratwatte has showed all his class proving to be a vital utility player. The Weerarathne brothers will be key in this game in terms of decision making, while a good test could be witnessed between the two speedsters Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and his opposite number, Havelock’s captain Sandun Herath.
The Kandy forwards have been outstanding this season but in the first round game no forwards scored for either team. Havies’ winger Prasath Madhusanka scored 4 tries against CR last week and is having the season of his life. It will be interesting to see whether Kishore Jehan will start or come off the bench for the champion side. Shehan Lema and Suhiru Anthony has been the perfect lock combination but it is not certain whether Shehan will play as he is struggling with an injury.
Looking at the last two performances of these two teams, Havies have played a controlled, composed game, nevertheless Kandy hates losing in their den. The decision could also depend on the weather on Sunday.
Ones to watch: Roshan Weerarathne (Kandy / Scrum half) – Dhanushka Ranjan (Havelocks / Center)
Score Predictions: Kandy to win by 3
