After finishing at the bottom of the league table in the past two seasons, CH & FC will look to evade the wooden spoon for the third time running as they begin their 2016/17 campaign.
Recent Past
Having faced many difficulties last season to end up at the bottom of the league table after losing all 14 of their fixtures, CH will be looking to turn things around in the upcoming season with a new coach arriving at the club. The club has a long history and a rich culture of rugby as it was one of the very first clubs to play rugby in the country. CH produced many a star in the past, who went on to represent the country, however, for some reason the club has been on a downward spiral of late.
The Squad
Lakith Perera, a former Navy SC player, is someone the team will rely on as he uses his experience from past games to take this young and inexperienced CH & FC team towards respectability this season.
Inzam Irfan, the Prop forward standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 120kgs, will look to make his weight tell and make an impact for CH this season. His senior mate Mohamed Rifkhan, also another loose forward, can make the switch to the front row if necessary.
Full back Janith Chandimal will look to direct traffic from the back and make an impact for CH this season as well. He was a standout player for CH last year, both with his boot and his decision making, but he will need ample support from the backline if CH are to perform better this season.
Udara Madusankha, who has played for both Navy and Army has a lot to offer to the Maitland Crescent lads as he has the experience under his belt. Captain Chanaka Fonseka, who played for the Havelock’s, is also another key player and is expected to be solid in defense at the center position.
Young Blood
Ashroff Muzmi, who captained D.S. Senanayake College, was a lonely warrior in the concluded school season for the Dons. CH also have few school leavers, all fighting for a place: Vishwa Deneth (Thurstan), Udara Lakshan (Dudley Senanayake), Akash Weerakoon (St. Johns’ Nugegoda), Dilshan Fonseka (St. Peters’).
Back Room Staff
Namal Rajapakshe and Tulagese Tavita (Laga) will be guiding the team this year. Both will bring value to the table, with Laga in particular having been involved in the game in Sri Lanka for the past two decades. The team has the perfect mentors but their task this season will not be an easy one as they start their campaign against reigning champions and favourites Kandy SC.
Prospects for 2016/17
With a very young group and not many big-name players at the club this year, it looks to be a tough season ahead for CH as they attempt to avoid yet another bottom of the table finish.
Squad 2016/17
