After seven weeks of enthralling Dialog Rugby League action, the stage is now set for the second round of action which will decide who would take the 2015/16 title.
The past seven weeks have seen intense competition between the top tier clubs with the defending champions sitting on a comfortable unbeaten cushion on top of the table despite some close encounters. The question to be asked would be whether Kandy Sports Club could last another seven weeks with the unbeaten tag?
Kandy SC vs CH & FC
16th January 2016 at Racecourse Grounds 4.00 p.m. onwards
The two extremes of the league table, Kandy Sports Club and CH & FC will lock horns in the first week of the second round. Kandy who already massacred the Gymkhana club 80-3 in the first week of round 1 will look to give their replacements some game time this coming week. CH & FC over the seven weeks haven’t had the privilege of ending up in the winning side at any occasion with the exception of the performance against Air Force that they lost in the final minute.
Kandy would try to experiment some of their fresh players such as Thilina Wijesinghe in the backs who was an exceptional player in the school division while they could try giving some game time to players such as Yakoob Ali & Danshaya Dayan in the starting XV.
Air Force SC vs Havelock SC
16th January 2016 at Ratmalana 4.00 p.m. onwards
Having only lost out to Kandy Sports Club, Havelock Sports Club finished second in the segment with their title hopes still alive. Their last week’s onslaught against CH & FC will give them the space to try out their bench strength yet again against minnows Sri Lanka Air Force.
Coach Laga would have had some relief seeing the juniors stepping up in their games with Sri Lanka Under 20 players Kevin Dixon, Nishon Perera and Lasindu Ishan showcasing top class performances alongside the veterans. The Air Force fixture will be another platform for these youngsters to develop their skills and build the chemistry that they would crucial when they face the bigger names. The first round fixture saw Havelock winning the game 26-13 and this time around Havelock will look to increase their win margin.
Police SC vs Navy SC
16th January 2016 Police Park 4.00 p.m. onwards
The returning Police vs Navy fixture will definitely steal the spotlight in the weekend as the Cops will look for vengeance for their loss at Welisara in the first round. Police who staged a staggering comeback in the second half did not succeed with their objective as they lost out to the Sailors 27-24.
In form Reeza Raffaideen will play key for the Policemen having scored 26 points in the Army game and also scoring the winning try and the Sailors will make it a point to not let Raffaideen have the extra space. Police will have the force back to the squad with Rizah Mubrak winning back the #15 jersey. With Mubarak in, Raffaideen will move into Wing with Sharo Fernando also back after a week’s respite.
The league’s highest try scorer Bilal Hassen is set to join the Policemen back again after his injury and it will be a tough battle between the third row combinations of both teams.
Radeesha Senevirathne in the absence of Bilal has been exceptional in the third row along with Joel Perera and with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Gertha Perera and Omalka Gunarathne compiling the back row for the Sailors, it will be a close contest at the Police Park grounds this Saturday.
CR & FC vs Army
16th January 2016 Diyagama 4.00 p.m. onwards
CR & FC will travel to Diyagama to meet the Soldiers for the returning fixture this week and it will be a must win for the reds if they intend to finish in the top three at the end of the season. Army unfortunately lost out to Police SC in the final minute but the display of rugby they have showcased in the past seven weeks has been exceptional.
Skipper Asoka Jayalal has been an inspiration to the side whilst Gayan Salinda has steered the team through with him leading the point scorers’ list with 66 points and he will be the crucial man for the Soldiers. The Ariyapala brothers will pose the biggest threat to Ishan Noor’s XV, as they have been phenomenal playing at the center combinations.
CR & FC had their spirits restored after their win against Air Force having trailed 15-10 at lemons last week at Ratmalana. CR & FC’s three-quarters were however no match for the Airmen as the second half was entirely dominated by CR & FC winning the game 46-15.
Kanchana Ramanayaka has got himself back on the starting XV and in form Sashan Mohamed will look to making those all important runs through the corners to bring in points for the side.
