Dialog Rugby League: Will Kandy have nightmares in Ratmalana again?

Will last season’s defeat at Ratmalana haunt Kandy SC? The first four games of round 2 went according to plan for all the big guns, however, CH & Army will seek to bounce back after losing out.

The home team, Havelock’s will not have it all their way in this encounter. After a bitter loss at Welisara, CH will surely want to get back to winning ways.

The Park club is without spearhead winger Sadun Herath who is out with an ankle injury and the continued absence of Kevin Dixon is another worry for the starting line-up.

For the visitors, lynchpin centre, Lee Keegal is set to continue his spell on the sideline with a knee injury.

The match-up between the two former Wesley number 9’s is one to have a close eye on as Rahul De Silva is set to line up against Avishka Lee.

Havelocks will have an added advantage over the visitors playing at home with the game to be played under lights at Havelock Park. But having lost their previous match to Navy, CH will be wanting revenge in the way of a win against Havelock SC.

WATCH LIVE – Havelock SC vs CH & FC – Dialog Rugby League 2017/18

Returning to Ratmalana after a shocking defeat last season, Kandy SC will surely be out to get their revenge over a struggling Air Force outfit.

Air Force have managed just a single win this season and will surely know a win in this game won’t be an easy task. Meanwhile, visiting Kandy will know they need to continue their dominance if they are to keep their unblemished record for the season intact.

Air Force will be without captain Pushpakumara Samarahewa and he will be replaced by Surya Krishan as he takes over the captain’s duties.

For Kandy, the return of Dhanushka Ranjan was a timely boost for last week’s encounter and his presence in the midfield is a comforting fact for the coaching staff.

With recent form, Kandy come in as clear favourites, however, last season’s result will surely still be in their minds as they come down to Ratmalana.

Hosts Police were thumped in their previous fixture at Longdon Place and with no wins to their name this season, Police will be desperate to get something for their fans to cheer about.

CR managed a lucky win against an Army outfit who played most of the game with 14-men last week. For Police, however, it was yet another thumping defeat, this time at the hands of Kandy, up in Nittawela.

Police have had a horrendous season and know they have to get their performance up, if they are to get something out of this game.

CR on the other hand, have been boosted by the return of Heenpella at half back as his reduced kicks from the base have helped CR with front foot ball.

CR are favourites coming into this encounter and will be aiming to record another 30+ score in this game against Police SC.

A battle between the forces is always a heated affair and we can surely expect yet another feisty game at Army’s adopted home, Havelock Sports Club grounds.

Army will be without star half back Mohomed Rizvi after he was slapped with a three game ban following a stamping offence against CR last weekend. The absence of Rizvi will be a hammer blow for Army, however, coach Nilufer Ibrahim  will be expected to ring the changes against Navy.

For the Sailors, they will be without Sri Lanka 7’s winger Buddhima Piyaratne who has been given a single match ban for a high tackle. Meanwhile Lahiru Herath is set to be sidelined due to injury.

Navy will come into this encounter with renewed hope after a nail biting win against CH but it will be interesting to see how Army recover from the bruising loss to CR.

This will undoubtedly be a crunch encounter between the two teams from the forces and picking a winner between the two is a tough choice.

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