CH&FC v CR&FC 04.12.2015 KO: 4.00 pm Race Course ground
It was a disappointing result for the Reds as they could not produce entertaining rugby in week 2 against Havelocks SC. A 34 – 18 loss. But the more upsetting fact would be CR losing players to injury and ill-discipline. Last week former Trinity captain Tarinda Ratwatte was meant to start against theHavies but he was out with Dengue fever. Kanchana Ramanayaka also had a niggle in his ankle; Hooker Malinda Hettiarachchi is out with a broken finger. Add to all of this the other hooker Lahiru Pavithra, who stamped on one of the Havelock’s players, has been banned for 2 weeks.
CR are still clear favourites with the experience they have. It is also expected that Kavindu Perera will start as outside center with Ashan De Costa which will put Rochana Hettiarachchi at the full back spot. Arun Kumar will most probably be moved from No 8 to hooker this time with Jason Dissanayaka playing at the back of the scrum. CH, on the other hand, have already conceded 142 points and have only scored 1 penalty.
Players to watch out for – Jason Dissanayaka (No 8) CR&FC & Mekalanka Promodya (wing) CR&FC
Score Prediction – CR to win by 20+
Police v Kandy 05.12.2015 KO: 4.00 pm Police Park
This will be a real test for the Cops as well as the Kandy forwards. The forwards from the hill capital have been in fantastic form after showcasing some great handling skills, mobility and tries in the previous two encounters. Arshad Jamaldeen could start this game with Captain Fazil Marija moving to center along with Gayan Weerarathne/Richard Dharmapala. For Police Rizah Mubarak might play at 10 and Mohamed Sheriff might shift to full back. The hosts have a few concerns over their center pair as skipper Lahiru and Lasintha De Costa, outside centers, are both injured. Mushin Faleel is also carrying a niggle but he will start for the cops at 12.
It will be interesting to see how Henry Terrance, Sharo Fernando and Bilal Hassen will counter the Kishore Jehan, Suhiru Anthony and Heshan Kalhara combo. Police smashing 10 tries against CH&FC certainly would have given them some confidence after losing to Havelocks in week 1. However, Kandy has more experience and definitely will look to maintain their unbeaten winning formula in this humdinger.
If this game ends up being a close tussle then it might depend on how good the kicks by Rizah Mubarak and Arshad Jamaldeen will be.
Players to watch out for –
Kandy :- Damith Dissanayaka (Hooker), Roshan Weerarathne (Scrum half)
Police :- Bilal Hassen (No 8), Chula Susantha (Wing)
Score Prediction – Kandy to win by 10
Navy v Havelocks 05.12.2015 KO: 4.00 pm Welisara
The Sailors had a nightmare in week 2 after going down by a point to the rival Soldiers. They did not execute their game plans and Chanaka Chandimal’s absence was a big blow as well. It is a big test for the Navy forwards when they take on the in-form, mobile forwards in pink. The game will also see the Rajapaksa brother Yoshitha and Rohitha up against each other while Omalka Gunarathne, the U20 national captain, who was the standout player last week, will miss this game.
Havelocks are in pretty decent form after the bonus point win over CR&FC last week. Niroshan Fernando coming back from injury, despite transfer talks about moving to the Police team, put on a real sparkling display last week. Coach Laga has better bench options for the men in Pink whereas Navy could have some trouble as they had to release 11 players, who were in the U20 squad, for the national duty after some hullabaloo.
Players to watch out for –
Navy – Chanaka Chandimal (fly half), Dinusha Chathuranga (wing)
Havelocks – Dhanushka Ranjan (Center), Sudarshana Muthuthantri (No 8)
Score Prediction – Havelocks to win by 7
Army v Air Force 05.12.2015 KO: 4.00 pm Diyagama
Last week was a great moral booster for the Soldiers as they put in a stunning performance to win over Navy. Ashoka Jayalal showed his leadership skills and decision making last week; however, it was a team performance as everyone played their hearts out in Welisara. The first home game for the soldiers is this Saturday and this will test their consistency.
Mohamed Rizvi was effective with his box kicks and Gayan Salinda could be the next Tuskers full back. The Airmen on the other hand are finding it difficult to find some x factor thus far. Only fly half Nuwan Perera has been getting most of the points through his kicking.
Players to watch out for – Manoj Silva (No 8) Army, Nuwan Perera (fly half) Air force
Score prediction – Army to win by 3
