Dialog Rugby League: Week 6 Preview

Will CR & FC manage to put an end to their losing streak? Are the Sailors good enough this time around to bring drown Kandy on their own paddock?

CH will come into the game as favourites, with some big names and a winning attitude from last week as they drew the game with the cops. The airmen on the other hand, will be looking to capitalise on every opportunity they can, after facing a humiliating loss by 12 points to nil against Navy last week.

Lee Keegal and Samuel Maduwantha will have to execute to their fullest, similar to the show they put on in the beginning of the season. Players like Gayantha Iddamalgoda will have to up their game if Air Force is to strike back this weekend.

Both teams have to be prepared for a muddy encounter like last week. However, with the form young Maduwantha is in, the kicking game would favour the CH team considering the consistency he has shown in successfully kicking penalties and conversions.

The ever present Lee Keegal will be back this week after suspension and will be a definite target in the eyes of the Airmen.

Playing at their home ground, the airmen will have to make right decisions and leaders will have to step up. Last week was a good lesson for the Air Force team as they fluffed many scoring opportunities.

CR are currently on a three match losing streak, which is quite disappointing given the fact that the team consists of many national players and talented school leavers. So much potential in the team, but they fail to execute on the field. Havelock SC on the other hand seem to have found their winning attitude after the Navy game as they come into this week having won both their games in the previous weeks.

We saw Tarinda Ratwatte play at his usual fly-half position last week, after playing in the outisde center position where he performed well individually but was not the right position for him to control the game which he is well known for. Ratwatte will have to utilize the maximum out of his backs if he plays as the fly-half which he should.

Rizah Mubarak and Dulaj Perera will have to be on song with their kicks to make things easy for Dushmantha Priyadarshana and his forwards. The park boys have a well balanced team that could create all sorts of chaos for the CR defence line. Getting past skipper Kavindu Perera and number eight Omalka Gunarathna will not be easy as they’ve shown tremendous skills in their defence this season.

However, it will be a battle between who wants it the most. Havelocks will be the obvious favourites coming into this week’s game despite CR having the home advantage.

WATCH LIVE – CR&FC v Havelock SC – Dialog Rugby League 2017/18 Match #23

This game could be considered the game of the week, as both the top two teams will battle it out at Nittawala.

The Kandyans star three quarter line running at the Sailors wall of defence will surely be a treat to watch. Honestly it should be said that though Kandy are at the top of the table, they have still not played to their fullest potential.

Navy, who carry a loss on their shoulders will look to drive their way through the forwards led by Dulanjana Wijesinghe, since it is obvious that the Kandyan line is much stronger. Buddhima Piyarathna and Supun Dilshan will have to be at their defensive best to prevent Danushka Ranjan and Anurudda Wilwara outrun and score.

Mushin Faleel will play a major defensive role as usual but he will have to attack the center channels as well.

The sailors have a natural solid defence, the Kandyans have a natural attacking line. Two completely different game plans could be expected by both coaches as the strengths of both teams are obvious.

Though the game will be played at Kandy, the Sailors have a real chance of drowning the Kandy team on their home soil. A brawl between who wants to be the best and who is the best is sure to be witnessed.

WATCH LIVE – Kandy SC vs Navy SC – Dialog Rugby League 2017/18 Match #22

The cops are yet to taste victory as they drew the game against CH last week and the soldiers come into this week wounded by Havelocks.

Police SC have upped their game ever since that nail-biting performance against Navy SC. The Police outfit seems to be boosted with new found confidence and strategy. Police SC have also played some smart rugby and looks to be promising in the second round.

Sandesh Jayawickrama had a good game last week which he will have to continue if the cops are to secure their first win of the season. Hashan Gomes and Romesh Acharige will also have to make no mistakes in scrums and line outs.

Army SC has a well-balanced side that could definitely penetrate the cops’ defence and also counter strike with their smooth transition from attack to defence. Ashan Bandara will have to play a major role if the soldiers are to end victorious, similar to his performance against CR.

However, as it is a neutral venue there is a fifty-fifty chance for both teams to end victorious. If the cops perform like they did in the Navy game and the soldiers perform like they did in the CR game, it will be a great battle as who is more desperate for a win.