Dialog Rugby League: Battle for second & third heating up

Kandy SC have already secured this year’s title in the Dialog Rugby League, however, what’s left for the others are the second and third places to play for as Navy, Havelock Sports Club, CH & FC & CR & FC are all in the running.

Ten points separate 2nd from 5th on the Dialog Rugby League points table and the battle for the second and third spots are still up for grabs.

CH know any slip ups at this time could be costly as they push for the second place. The hosts come in after a nail biting win, while Police have recorded their first win of this campaign to move up one spot.

Maduwantha will yet again hold the key in unlocking the Police defence and CH will be looking forward to the return of Lee Keegal, as he was forced to sit on the bench due to a minor niggle last weekend.

Sandesh Jayawickrama and Suranga Kasun will be aiming to carry their form through to this game but Police will be without speedster Janith Chanaka as he sustained a shoulder injury in last weekend’s victory.

The home team head into this fixture as favourites, but a team on the rise, Police, will hope to put a stop to CH’s dominance as the Cops seek to end the season on a high.

Another team in pursuit of a second place finish, CR & FC too know, anymore mishaps at this moment will cost them a higher position on the table.

Taariq Salih and his forward pack were incredible in last weekend’s win, however, consistency has been an issue for CR as they seek to `string a couple of victories together’ and get the job done.

Air Force will be without Radeesha Seneviratne as he sits out with an injured arm. His work rate will be duly missed and if they are to take anything away from Longdon Place, the Air Men will need a team performance for 80 minutes.

CR shocked Havelock Sports Club at home and will surely be coming in as clear favourites to beat an Air Force outfit languishing at the bottom.

Having secured the League title, Kandy only has their unbeaten tag remaining to keep intact. Meanwhile for Army Sports Club, they have pride to play for, as they have not registered a single win in the second round.

Kandy were unstoppable down at Welisara as they secured the league title, however they will not want complacency to creep in as they aim to better last year.

Army have been a different outfit from the one which they fielded in the first round and a close loss, last weekend will surely not help the coach in building their confidence.

Fazil Marija will be playing the penultimate match in his club rugby career and Kandy is hoping for no slip ups as they aim to remain unbeaten.

Kandy are heavily in favour to win this one and I would not bet a single penny on the Soldiers upsetting the champions.

The most looked forward to and a game with so much at stake on the Independence weekend. Havelock Sports Club host Navy Sports Club with both teams in dire need of a win — Navy to stay in second place, Havelock to overtake Navy to second place —

Havelock Sports Club were in tatters while Navy were completely outplayed in their game last week.

The Park Club have been chopping and changing and the five-eighth has been their Achilles heel throughout this season. Niroshan Fernando, Dulaj Perera and Riza Mubarak have all started in the no 10 jumper and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod in this all important clash.

On the other side of the coin, Navy have been a more settled side, however, they did not manage to bring their ‘A’ game last week but will surely be wanting to brush aside that defeat as they aim to cement their spot at number two on the table.

On last week’s viewing, Havelock Sports Club would not stand a chance, and I would not bet against Navy to go to the Park and get the all-important win.

WATCH LIVE: Havelock SC vs Navy SC – Dialog Rugby League 2017/18