Kandy SC registered a thumping win over CH&FC and also they will replay the game on 18th January in the 1st week of second round at Nittawela.
Army outplayed the Cops whilst improving Air Force almost gave a panic attack on CR&FC in a close tussle. Havelocks’s eased passed Sharks and gained 8 bonus points after playing 8 matches in the first round, including 3 losing bonus points.
Police 20 – 41 Army
It was a shocking defeat for the hosts after scoring the first 8 points with a try and a penalty within the first ten minutes. Police attack and defense went miserable as they start to rely heavily on play maker Apisai Nagaliva. The first try came in a fine fashion as Filimoni Seru breaks through the ruck just inside the 50m and was well supported by the little Sudam Sooriarachi. Randitha Warnapura finishing it off with a try from a loose ball after Sudam was well tackled by Mohamed Absal.
Apisai the leading try scorer in the league probably had the horrendous 70 minutes. His kicking,passing and also running was not at his best. Also the Police coaches should have taken off Apisai and Seru soon after half time and replaced Paul Tuimalo and the Kenyan, Horace Otieno. The replacement was done in the last 8-10 minutes which was too late.
Soldiers on the other hand, shocked and silenced the Police stands. Absal played his first game on his transfer after being in the Navy squad without a chance of playing. He made a clear difference with providing perfect balls to Rohitha Rajapaksa and also read the game meticulously in order to score two tries under his name. He also gained good yards with box kicks and his kicking to the post is another advantage for the Soldiers.
Army coach Mothilal Jayathilaka could not ask for a better performance as their defensive structure adjusted sooner after Police scoring without a panic. Mothilal started with Joan Vota (Center) and Nemani Nagusa (No8) to do all the hard work. Pio Tuwai and Kolinio Tamanitoakula replacing their countrymen in early second half gave them much attacking options from the set pieces.
Chula Susantha made a great impact after being out from 3-4 weeks of rugby due to dengue fever. He was reading the game with his experience and intercepted Apisai’s pass and steered his way for a try. Randhika Alwis , Gayan Salinda, Yohan Keyzer provided some extra factor. Also the skipper controlled the game smoothly in the pivotal position.
Talking Points : Absal’s dream start – Apisai’s terrible outing – Mothilal’s magic
Havelock’s 43 – 10 Sharks
After playing all eight games in the first round and getting a bonus point each time is never an easy task. However, Sudarshana Muthuthantri’s men are simply outstanding thus far despite the heartbreaking loss against Kandy by a one point thriller.
Men in pink had a clear plan that is to use their forwards two phases and get as many as Sharks defenders in to the ruck. Which as a result they had numbers out wide in the line and that did clearly work as Sharks defenders went blind.
The Sri Lankan trio in the Havies line was threatening with the ball in hand. Danushka Ranjan scored a hat-trick along with the nippy Mithun Hapugoda. Sandun Herath also ran some good yards. No doubt that Mithun is a sheer talent with his pace and goosesteps, but his trade mark of attacking is the leap that he takes before he starts running, something like Paskistani fast bowler Junaid Khan. However, this is something he needs to change as his leap blocks and changes the speed of his supportive runners. In the below graphic Mithun could easily passed to Hirantha Perera so he could score easily without a risk like Sandun had to take the inside pass and drag two defenders.
Due credits to Glen Christini the coach of Havelock’s but he was really concerned on the 10 knock-ons that Havies made. Also their forwards played in a manner where they did not feel the loss of Terrence Henry, Danushka Perera, Hasitha Perera and Sharo Fernando who crossed over to Navy.
Sharks inexperience was the problem for them. Joseph Dunn,Wagawulagi Emori and his brother Stephen Situweri could not really amplify the attack despite a valiant effort try by Situweri. Certainly Nilfer Ibrahim needs to rethink of the team strategy and make some defending strategies done, as a fact there is a lot talent in the Sharks attack which yet to be exploit.
Talking Points : Mithun/Ranjan hat-trick – 8/8 bonus points for Havies – Sharks needs to improve defense
CH&FC 05 – 71 Kandy
The underdogs CH are in reckless as they are now playing without foreigners. Not much options for Bilal Yousuf the coach but to play with the young local talent. Also it is still in doubt whether the club will continue to play in the second round. However, Kandy rested Fazil Marija, Nigel Ratwatte, Gayan Weerarathne and Anurudda Wilwara the four Tuskers.
Arshad Jamaldeen with the No 10 jersey on made the Talisman Fazil Marija proud with his splendid performance. He shoot 8/11 conversions and scored a well-deserved last try after assisting 3 more tries with his sparkling breaks.
Arshad foxed his opposite number 10,12,13 few times with running sideways and asking the big center Koto Pongi to come in an inside line. Oscar Ouma who played in the pack also joined Pongi on the attacking move. Christopher Cloete was rested but his countryman Quinton Crocker came late in the second half. Tharinda Chanaka, Danushka Dayan, the veteran Pradeep Liyanage and Lavanga Perera on full flow where CH went thoughtless to held on. Skipper Sean Wijesinghe, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Kishore Jehan and Uchitha Jaysauirya all played their part using the experience in the pack.
Hamza Hassan once again showing his warrior instinct where he is not shy to run at the opposition, but this game he did not had the best of the time including his lineout throws went scrappy. Captain Radheesha Senavirathne showed how desperate he is to tackle. Nevertheless, playing without foreigners is a mental blow. Eg: Arshad playing world class Pongi next to him and Dinesh Lakshan has Mosheen Faleel is two different mental aspects. Faleel, nevertheless made the most of the tackles in the line.
Talking Points : Arshad Jamaldeen – Ouma/Pongi Combo – CH second round ???
CR&FC 31 – 28 Air Force
It was quite surprising that CR finished 4th at the end of the first round. They started off well in the season and went patchy. What a fight by the airmen where it stood 16-15 at the half time but Asanka Perera and Patemeo Kocoturaga going to the sinbin in the second half, was the issue for the visitors as CR went in to a big lead.
CR needs to focus on loose play and especially with defense. Coach Imthi Marikkar surely knows what he needs to be doing too. Good to see Rochana Hettiarachi continuing his form.
Airmen perhaps played their match of the season; without doubt this will be a treat to watch in the second round. Their foreigners doing 110% and locals getting gelled, this is a positive sign.
Talking Points : CR finishing 4th – Air Force getting strong – CR defense & discipline needs to work on
