Defending champions Kandy SC is still in a commanding position to retain the title this year. However, this week will test the visiting CR&FC team at Welisara after the one point loss to Sailors in the first round. Havelock’s youngsters are doing exceptional but the men in pink will have to work hard if they want to overcome the gutsy Soldiers.
Navy v CR&FC 23.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @ Welisera
A disappointing finish last week for the Sailors as they looked lost in terms of decision making. Few changes to come this week including the experienced Anuranga Walpola starting at hooker. Sathya Ranathunga who played as lock will be moved to the tight head position. Also young Richie Dharmapala is expected to start ahead of Suranga Pushpakumara who scored the one and only try for Navy last week. Speedster Saliya Handapangoda will miss this game andas a result national U20 player Buddima Piyarathne will get a start.
CR&FC on the other hand survived a big scare last week at Diyagama. Thanks to Mekelanka Promodhya’s valiant chase to stop the last minute try. Despite some injury worries, CR still have some good names in the squad. The Costa brothers will start at the half back combination while Jason Dissanayake and national U20 player Tariq Salih will join Arun Kumar in the loose forwards. Kanchana Ramanayaka will be the key player who will take up 13. Full back Prince Chamara had a decent start but lost his consistency.
21 – 20 in favour of Navy was the first round score, although both teams look equally talented, the game will be between the Navy forwards v CR backs. However, Chanaka Chandimal’s decision making and Lee Keegal’s defense will have to make an impact in terms of gaining any momentum this Saturday. Navy full back Thilina Weerasinghe is also in a fine form with his kicks and is showing ability in his running game as well. For CR Kavindu Perera is yet to make some spark this season.
Players to watch out : Omalka Gunarathne (Navy No8) – Jason Dissanayaka (CR flanker)
Score Predictions : A Draw
Air Force v Kandy 23.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Ratmalana
Kandy tried out the rest of their squad vs CH&FC last week. Lochana Girihagama, Thisila Karunathilaka, Oshan Perera who all had a game and perhaps this weekend too they will have a go. Interestingly 23 players names have been in the try scoring list. With 45 overall points, the defending champions are well ahead in the table. Havelock SC is in second place with 39 points. Arshad Jamaldeen is leading the top point’s scorer lists and this could give him another opportunity to score some extra points.
On the other hand Air Force seems to be losing the composure. Early in the season they showed some courage despite not having foreign players, but only Nuwan Pereran did most of the work for them. Unfortunately he too missed a few important kicks in the recent games. Rather than winning this game the task for the airmen will be to concede lesser points than in first round.
Score Predictions : Kandy win 40+
Havelock’s v Army 24.01.2016 KO: 6.30pm @Havelock Park
Army winger Madhushan Chandresekara has perhaps not had proper sleep since last week, after his 50m run in to try line at the last minute was denied by CR’s Mekelanka Promodhya’s valiant defense. As a result they drop down to 6th place and Police move in to 5th place after win against Navy last week.
A win is not enough for Havelock’s if they want to challenge the hill country lads. They need to win with a bonus point in almost all the games. The first round clash between these two teams was a close ending at 27 – 22 in favour of the Park club, which was played in a different venue at the Sri Lanka Air Force grounds. Without a doubt it will be a grudge encounter but the main worry for the Soldier’s is that their points scoring machine Gayan Salinda has not beenconsistent with his kicks in the last two games.
On the other hand Havelock’s has some options with Rimzie Jamaldeen and Samantha Lakshan’s kicking. However, this game will not solely depend on the kicks but the powerful forwards play will come in to contention. Asoka Jayalal marshalled his troops so well but the end result in many matches were not fruitful.
Under lights will be always difficult at Havelock Park, if Rahul De Silva choses to put in some box kicks that will test the Army backline. Dushmantha Priyadarshana and Prasath Madushan are in a prime form for the men in Pink. But the versatile Sudarshana Muthuthantri’s game management without conceding any yellow cards will play a vital role.
Players to watch out : Nishon Perera (Havelock/Center) – Dinushan Ariyapala (Army/Center)
Score Predictions : Havelock win by 10
CH&FC v Police 24.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Police Park
Police ran riot 62-00 in the first round against the one time giants CH&FC. Police is surely expecting to score more, especially after the suspension of few big buys this season. Cops also secured a much needed win over navy last week, which will lift their team spirits. Radeesha Senavirathne, Mushin Faleel, Mohamed Sheriff all are in splendid form. Bilal Hassen, the leading try scorer so far who scored 4 tries against CH in the last outing will be looking at the same results or more.
Score Prediction : Police win 50+
