Week 6 concluded with Police managing their first win of round one beating CH & FC while Air Force narrowly got over the line versus Army. Saturday saw Kandy get back to winning ways beating CR at Nittawala.
The final game of the week ended with Havelocks SC maintaining their unbeaten tag as Navy lost away at Havelock Park.
The Breakdown – Havelock’s continue their unbeaten tagline
The final week of round one begins as Navy travel to meet an inform Air Force team at home. It will be a difficult task for the visitors and they will have to be at their absolute best to oust the Airmen. CR & FC will meet arch rivals CH & FC in a derby of their own while Police host Army. The final fixture of the week and round one will be a mouthwatering encounter as Havelocks SC travel to Nittawala.
Air Force vs Navy SC
Date: 16th December 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Ratmalana
Navy have had the better record in head to head battles but the visitors will have to raise their game to new heights if they are to beat Air Force at home. Air Force have been phenomenal at Ratmalana after recovering from their early season loss to Havelocks to go on to beat mighty Kandy and Army in front of a partisan crowd.
WATCH LIVE: Air Force SC v Navy SC – Dialog Rugby 16/17
Results 2015/16:
Air Force 15-17 Navy at Rathmalana
Navy 36-08 Air Force at Welisara
Players to watch out for:
Gayantha Iddamalgoda: Captain fantastic was up to the task last week and will be seeking to replicate his efforts against a Navy team that will be aiming to bounce back from last week’s loss.
Nadeesha Perera: A new face in the Air Force team, Nadeesha displayed good composure under pressure and will play a vital part in Air Force’s chances against a strong Navy outfit.
Dulanjana Wijesinghe: The big hooker had a huge influence on the game even though Navy lost last weekend. He will be looking to replicate his performance this week as Navy seek to end round one with a win.
Thilina Weerasinghe: The Navy fullback was in his usual form last weekend. His kicking will play an important role in what could prove to be a tight game.
CR & FC v CH & FC
Date: 17th December 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Race Course
CR & FC will be favorites hosting CH & FC at home as the latter remain winless after 5 weeks of action. Both teams come in after been handed beatings last weekend and will be looking bounce back with a win.
Results 2015/16:
CR & FC 66-11 CH & FC at Longdon Place
CH & FC 07-45 CR & FC at CH grounds.
Players to watch out for:
Tarinda Rathwatta: Center was in flying form last weekend scoring two tried and taking on the kicking responsibilities as well. He will be seeking to add to his excellent season with another good performance versus CH.
Taariq Salih: He came off the bench last week and had an impact on the game even though the visitors lost at Nittawala. He will be hoping to play a bigger role this weekend for CR as they seek a win over their arch rivals.
Kasun Srinath: Srinath was ever present at the breakdown for CH. He will be aiming to add to his performance in this game against CR.
Udara Madushanka: He played an influential role for CH and will be hoping to replicate his efforts this weekend and help his team to what would be an unexpected win, if it does materialize.
Police SC v Army SC
Date: 17th December 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Police Park
Police will be aiming to register their second win of the season and carry their winning momentum from last week, meanwhile Army who have had some near misses, will be confident of overcoming an under-performing Police outfit.
Results 2015/16:
Police 27 : 17 Army at Police Park
Army 45 : 47 Police at Army ground
Players to watch out for:
Reeza Rafaideen: The winger finally sprung into life against a struggling CH last week. He will be seeking to add to his record this weekend against Army.
Rajitha Sansony: Sansony was in his usual form with the boot while slotting in with ease to a new role at fly-half. Sansony will be hoping to add to his personal tally while taking his team towards their second win of the season.
Saliya Hapugaskubura: He was influential at centre for Army last weekend. He showed good pace and power and will be aiming to do so this weekend against Police.
Manoj Silva: Captain of the Army brigade, Silva had a fine outing last weekend and will hope to lead his team from the onset this weekend.
Kandy SC vs Havelock SC
Date: 18th December 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Nittawala
Havelocks unbeaten tag will be under threat this weekend as they travel to the hill country to face Kandy, who are unbeaten at home. Kandy on the other hand will face more or less a must win game as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
WATCH LIVE: Kandy SC v Havelock SC – Dialog Rugby 16/17
Results 2015/16:
Kandy 27-17 Havelock at Nittawala
Havelock’s 08-18 Kandy at Havelock Park
Players to watch out for:
Dhanushka Ranjan: Ranjan played out of his skin as Kandy thumped CR and the centre will look to show his former team the same kind of aggression this week too.
Gayan Weerarathne: The big bulky centre returned to action with a bang last week and will be seeking to add to his illustrious Kandy career this weekend in a crunch encounter.
Sharo Fernando: The big man in the second row was the difference in the game against Navy. He was a presence at the breakdown and displayed immense power to take the Havies forward. The men in pink will rely on him to power them towards a win which could effectively end Kandy’s title bid.
Rahul De Silva: Rahul was the game changer off the bench for Havelocks and will be aiming to display the same quality this weekend. He will have a huge role to play if Havelocks are to have a chance at Nittawala.
