The new year fireworks is expected to run into the first week of 2016 with a big game on the cards as the two unbeaten teams clash at Havelock Park this Saturday under lights.
Defending champions Kandy will look to continue their winning streak whilst Havelock’s will certainly look to spoil the party. Prior to the all-important clash CR&FC and Navy SC will fight for the 3rd & 4th spot at Longdon Place. On Sunday Air Force play host to Police and CH&FC travel to Diyagama to take on the Soldiers.
Havelock’s v Kandy Date: 02.01.2016 (Sat) Time: KO: 6.30 pm
Venue @Havelock Park
All eyes will be on the illuminated Havelock Park as this game will either make or break the season for both teams unless a draw eventuates. Despite their struggle to beat CR before the break Kandy had faith in themselves to compete until the 80th minute. Havies have also had some close calls against Army in week 5 although they won 27 – 22 with Samantha Lakshan’s last gasp try. Having said that both teams will field players that would walk into the National squad judging by the performances thus far.
If this game were to go down to the wire it may be decided between the kicking abilities of Jamaldeens. Kandy have knocked over only 23 conversions of their 39 attempts with a 58.9% success rate whilst Havies converted 13 of 15 attempts an 86% kicking success in terms of conversions. Arshad Jamaldeen of Kandy is the leading point’s scorer thus far with 54 points and Rimzie Jamaldeen from the park clubis in 4th place with 43 points.
Havelock’s aces Dhanushka Ranjan and Niroshan Perera will be sidelined due to injuries with Rimzie moving from full back to first fiveand skipper Sandun Herath will pair up with Hirantha perera in the center combination which will test the men in Pink. Kandy speedsters Richard Dharmapala and Lavanga Perera are also carrying a few niggles and may not be at full flight at game time.
Both teams have showed some superb skills up front with some stunning off loads and freakish pace. Heshan Kalhara, Kishore Jehan, Piumal Manchanayake, Suhiru Anthony, Sashika Jayawardena, Gayan Rathnayake and Damith Dissanayake have all made the try scorers list this season. However Havies have an well balanced pack with the likes of Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Prasath Madhusankha, Sudarshana Muthuthantri being joined by Shenal Dias coming in to the team fisrt time this season.
National U20 duo Nishon Perera and Kevin Dixon are also expected to start on one wing and at full back respectively after their fine performance at the Asian U20 championship three weeks ago in Singapore. This game however will test the youngsters metal as they go up against undoubtedly the best backline in Sri Lanka rugby.
Players to watchout :
Score Prediction : Kandy win by 3
CR&FC v Navy Date: 02.01.2016 (Sat) Time: KO: 4.00 pm
Venue @Longdon Place
Navy has sits at 3rd on the table with 20 points including 5 bonus points thus far in the season while CR&FC with 18 points including 3 bonus points are nipping at their heels. The Reds put up a monumental effort against the defending champions Kandy prior to the Christmas break but lost out in the final minutes. On the other hand Navy had a scare at the hands of Police at Welisara in week 5 with a last minute penalty sealing them a 3 point win to finish 3rd at the end of the calendar year.
This would pretty much be a battle between Navy forwards and CR backs. Navy’s driving maul has been their most potent weapon as of late with Dhanushka Perera, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Nivanka Prasad doing a decent job in the third row. National U20 captain Omalka Gunarathne will miss out this weekend due to illness.
The de Costa brothers will have to carry the game for the reds in terms of decision making and game management. Rochana Hettiarachchi, Kavindu Perera and Sashan Mohamed have got to get ball in hand as often as possible. Kanchana Ramanayake is expected to make a his return off the bench after a 2 week absence due to injury.
Players to watch out : Rochana Hettiarachi (CR&FC Center) – Lee Keegal (Navy Center)
Score Prediction : CR win by 2
