Champions of the Dialog Inter Club 7s 1st leg, Kandy Sports Club will not participate in the second leg of the tournament that will kick off on the 16th of June 2018 while CR & FC have confirmed their participation.
The 16-team tournament that kicked off on the 2nd of June saw the frontrunners in the club rugby arena, Kandy Sports Club emerging as the standout team while tournament favourites and defending chapions Navy Sports Club made an early exit in the cup quarterfinals.
Read more: Kandy secure top spot at Club Seven’s first leg
The defending champions of the Dialog Rugby League emerged victorious in the 1st leg of the tournament when they defeated a spirited Police Sports Club outfit 26-05. Defeating a new-look CH & FC team in the semifinals, the Kandy team proved that they are clear contenders for the title.
However, according to a top club official from Kandy, the team will not participate in the next leg with the Mercantile Sevens tournament around the corner that will be followed by the Asian Games and the Asian Sevens Series.
The Kandy team’s absence will be clearly felt and their void will be filled by CR & FC who have confirmed their participation. CR & FC who initially abstained citing injury issues to their key players will proceed to take part in the second leg.
Read more: CR & FC pull out of Club Sevens
CR & FC who had key national players in their ranks will now get an opportunity to participate in the sevens tournament providing adequate exposure to the players who will be in contention for national selection. The absence of Omalka Gunarathane, Tarinda Ratwatte, Chanaka Chandimal and Reeza Raffaideen was clearly felt in the 1st leg which was a rather passive sevens tournament.
The second leg of the Dialog Inter Club 7’s will kick off on the 16th of June 2018 at the Racecourse grounds.
