A clinical top four finish for Colombo’s premiere club the Ceylonese Rugby Football Club last year has infused new energy and hope to the Longden place brigade as the ‘reds’ build themselves to enter the competitive Dialog Rugby league for the years 2015/2016.

Last Season

The penultimate weeks of the Dialog Rugby League 2014 were special for the lads in the red having had a disappointing start. Ending up at one of the top spots winning 7 out of the 14 games, CR & FC did not have too much to cherish when it came to results but a few stand out performances would have inspired much confidence. The drawn game against defending champions Kandy Sports Club and the close finishes against Army and Havelocks will be good learning curves as they look forward to greater goals in the upcoming.

It was like yesterday that CR & FC had their name painted all over the leaderboards but times have not been the best for them in the past three years. In contrary, the ground of Longden place hasn’t witnessed a better outfit than the current for a long passage of time. Their latest showing  the centenary game that was played in celebration of the Havelock Sports club  saw CR dominating their arch rivals  who were missing their cream to national duty.

Players to watch 
Players to watch

An experienced Ishan Noor will lead the reds for the second time this season having played almost a decade in the CR & FC colours. Ishan who played his fair share of school rugby in the St. Peter’s jersey turned out for his club as a utility lock forward contributing to the team’s strength. The 2013 stretch that he captained was “a disaster” according to Noor, as he believes this would be a turning point in his career.

The return of Costa jnr. to his roots after a successful season at Havelocks will be a boom for the team, as he will pair up with his other half Ashan De Costa. Kavindu de Costa, who played at scrum half for Isipathana in the year 2013 and was picked for the Tuskers last season will be a value addition for Noor’s team this season.

New blood

CR & FC New Players
CR & FC has had the privilege of signing up with few of the big names from the school season as they start their professional career at Longden place. Last year’s Trinity College and Sri Lanka Under 20 skipper Tarinda Ratwatte will be a starting option for the Reds this season having returned from his overseas commitments. Ratwatte’s inclusion solves the missing piece in the team’s three-quarter line and will want to show his worth when the season gets underway.

The rolling maul exponent, Supun Warnakulasuriya was yet another crucial signing alongside the Josephian skipper Taariq Saalih. Supun who donned the Royal jersey last season was a key player in his team’s path to league title victory while Saalih, the captain of St. Joseph’s this season has earned his place in the team primarily for his destructive abilities as an open side flanker.

The Science College full-back from 2014 Prince Chamara,  made his crossover from Army to CR & FC and will need much more than luck to fight for his place in the side with outgoing Isipathana fullback Rehan Silva in the contest for the same position.

Coached by former Trinity, CR & FC and Kandy player Inthisham Marikkar who also went on to represent Sri Lanka would look to provide his team with the feeling of victory; something that he enjoyed wearing the ‘red’ jersey.

Squad: Ashan De Costa – Kavindu De Costa – Ishan Noor – Shamit Fajudeen – Eranga Swarnathilake – Shane Summandaperuma – Malith Hettiarachchi – Dilhan Zoysa – Vasamba Senarath – Suneth Chathuranga – Shanaka Kumara – Mehalanka Pramodhaya – Dilantha Perera – Rehan Silva – Amila Bandara – Kavindu Perera – Sasanka Ariyaratne – Sashan Mohamed – Kokila Hiran – Rajitha Abeykoon – Nipuna Devinda – Prince Chamara – Lahiru Pavithra – Eroshan De Alwis – Nalin Kumara – Supun Warnakulasooriya – Panduka Angammana – Taariq Salih – Tarinda Ratwatte – Anuradha Herath – Banuka Nanayakkara

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