Dialog Rugby League: Havelock’s second place under threat?

Havelock SC will know that their second place in the league table will be under threat this weekend as they take on Army at home. What does the weekend have in store? Let’s have a look.

CH & FC will be aware that they can increase the pressure on the Havies and Navy for second place, as they take on a bruised Air Force team on Friday.

Coming in after a moral boosting win last weekend, CH will have their eyes set on inflicting more pain on the visitors from Ratmalana.

The return of Lee Keegal was timely for CH, as he was immense in their win over the Havies. For Air Force, the loss of Charith Seneviratne and Charles Praveen proved costly last weekend, but the Airmen will be hoping the pair return for this weekend’s clash.

Samuel Maduwantha, the Lee brothers, and Keegal were all outstanding and will be looking for a repeat performance this Friday.

The home team are heavily favoured to get the ‘W’ in front of their name and new CH Director of Rugby, Ronny Ibrahim will undoubtedly pump the boys up for the game.

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

A mountain to climb, literally, for CR & FC as they travel up to the hill country to take on am unbeaten Kandy.

Kandy were in cruise control -not letting Ratmalana haunt them- as they crushed Air Force last weekend and will look to build on the win, as they take on the visitors who were lucky to hold off Police last weekend.

CR will know that they need to improve greatly if they are to get anything out of the trip to Kandy.

The return of former Isipathana half back Harith Bandara was a timely boost but he and CR will know the test ahead will be completely different from last week.

Buwaneka Udangamuwa was got off without further punishment for last week’s yellow and will be looked up to for another mammoth performance against the team from Longdon Place.

CR will have their work cut out and know they need a full 80-minute performance if they want a win in a game where the odds are heavily in favour of the home side.

WATCH LIVE – Kandy SC vs CR & FC – Dialog Rugby League 2017/18

Navy will have their work cut out as they travel to Police Park but the hosts know there’s yet another tough outing ahead of them.

Navy were pushed, but a strong second half saw them get the better out of a highflying Army outfit last weekend. For Police though, the only positive to dwell on was the final push which troubled CR in their previous game.

Sandesh Jayawickram’s regaining of form was a welcome boost and along with him, lock forward Wajid Fawmy will surely want to push Navy for a win.

Gertha and co. will know any slip-ups at this moment could cost them their second place but will be taking on the final placed team with a certain amount of confidence.

Navy have the odds in their favour as they come to Police Park but if Police manage an 80-minute performance, we are in for a nail biting clash on Saturday.

This weekend’s late kick off will see two teams aiming to bounce back from defeats last weekend.

The Park team know this will be a tough outing and for Army, they know how the home dressing room feels like but would they be able to handle things under lights?

Two tacticians in the form of Nilufer Ibrahim and Sanath Martis prepare their teams for the clash and will surely want to outsmart each other.

Niroshan Fernando did not have the best of outings last weekend in neither attack nor defence and knowing Martis, he could possibly ring the changes bringing in former Peter’s “General”, Dulaj Perera at five-eighth.

Army will continue without Rizvi at half back and Ashan Bandara will be hoping his form from the first-round returns.

Picking a winner between the two seems a tough task and with Army having played as the hosts, using the park ground as their home ground on previous occasions, only the late conditions may be a factor. Nevertheless, Havelock SC know they need to bring their ‘A’ game on Saturday if they want to get back to winning ways.