All the best for 2014. With only a one week break for Christmas all the teams are back in action this weekend. Not much time of partying for them.
Navy v Army
The first match of the weekend is one that brings the two forces teams together. Army travel to the hostile Welisara venue to confront their Defence Services rivals. The Army team have had a frustrating year so far, being very close on occasion but just not being able to get over the line. Contrastingly, Navy are unbeaten so far and only showed some signs of vulnerability last week.
Setefano Cakau maybe back from his Christmas break, but even if he is not, it is unlikely that the Sailors back division will suffer too much. They are the much bigger and more experienced team, and with the likes of Hassen and Lutumailagi coming off the bench, Army will have no respite.
At home, Navy should win comfortably. Hopefully, there will be no untoward incidents in what can be an inflammatory confrontation.
Police v Kandy
On Saturday Kandy travel down to Colombo for only the second time, to face a potential banana skin of a game. Police, have been improving steadily, but will still not have enough for a dominant Kandy side.
It remains to be seen whether Kandy will try out some new combinations or just hammer home for the bonus point. At Police Park, the cops will be confident and have been scoring tries against most of their opponents. It will be a good defensive test for Kandy and they will need to use this game to prepare for some of the bigger clashes awaiting them.
Sharks v CR
CR travel to Beliatta to take on the Hambantota Sharks. The last time the Red Shirts went on a long trip to Nawalapitiya, the result was not a very happy one. However, the sea level grounds and shorter commute should not unsettle the CR team who absolutely need four tries and a win in this game.
The Sharks also have been getting better and rumour has it that we may see a vast Navy migration to Hambantota next year making them the team to beat. For now however, they are finding their feet, and if CR play to the potential they have shown, will be able to win this game.
The Beliatta ground is still very much an unknown quantity but should not pose too many dangers.
Havelocks v Lions
An underperforming UCL team travel to Colombo to take on the defending unbeaten champions. With the likes of Raikabula, Soori and Ratwatte in their side, the Lions have some real game breakers in their ranks. Whether they can get them good ball is the issue and since their huge win on the opening day of the season, things have not gone their way.
With some tough matches to come against Kandy and Navy, the Lions will be hoping for a lethargic Havelocks team, who for all their potential have not been putting games to bed. With their recent walkover from the Sharks, Havelocks will need to drum up the bonus points regularly.
With a big experienced forward pack and a gigantic foursome of foreign players, the Havies will be difficult to beat. Grapevine has it that Tongan no.6 Hale T Pole is on a plane for Sri Lanka and we should see him in action very soon for the Park Club. Going into the matches against Kandy and Navy, that’s a smart move from the Havies. Kandy also have David Halaifonua in their ranks and it will be good to see the Tongan compatriots going against each other.
CH v Air Force
This bottom of the table clash should be pretty close. If I was a betting man I would say Air Force should win this one, but CH have showed some fight and spirit on occasion. They just have not been able to sustain it. But against a side made up only of local players, CH should have a little more confidence going into this game.
Air Force are also yet to win a game, and judging by the rest of the fixtures this could be both teams’ only chance to credit the ‘W’ column. Expect an intense, if untidy scramble.
This match at the bottom of the table should be pretty close.
