Parity was restored in week three as all the big named teams registered wins, following a surprising week two.
Havelocks are expected to keep their unbeaten tag alive for another week, as they face CH & FC while on the other hand Navy SC will face a tough task as they meet Army. Police will face an uphill task to topple Kandy in their den while Air Force will face a stiff challenge against CR & FC.
The Breakdown : Navy tops the table, illegal tackles from CH and Havelock’s
Havelock SC vs CH & FC
Date: 25th November 2016
Time: 6pm
Venue: Havelock Park
Havelocks will likely face a rather easy task as they come up against a CH team that looks in disarray. CH & FC have shipped more than 30 points in each of their first three games and with the Havies being unbeaten, they will look to steam-role the visitors at Havelock Park.
Results 2015/16:
CH & FC 11 – 78 Havelocks at Race Course
Havelocks 52-18 CH & FC at Havelock Park
Players to watch out for:
Sudarshana Muthuthantri: Fondly referred to as Muthu, the open-side flanker played a vital role last week against CR, turning the ball over at the ruck and was also a huge presence in defence as the Havis held CR to just 6 points. This game will pose a different challenge but we are sure to see the same old work horse in this game as well.
Prasath Madushanka: The top scorer from last season got on the score sheet last week as well as he put in a mammoth performance and we are sure to see him up his work rate even though they are playing against a weak CH outfit.
Prabhath Jayalath: Centre Prabhath has been in good form even though the team has not been in winning ways. Prabhath will be looking to take his form forward as they meet Havelocks SC this weekend.
Inzam Irfan: The bulky prop forward was impressive in the previous outing against Navy and will be looking to add his input again this weekend.
Army SC vs Navy SC
Date: 26th November 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Race Course
Unbeaten Navy will face a different test this week as they take on a strong Army SC outfit. Army come into this game following a solid drubbing by Kandy but will look to get back into winning ways while Navy are after an easy win against CH but should not put their guard down as Army will pose a huge challenge.
Results 2015/16:
Army 30-32 Navy at Diyagama
Navy 17-18 Army at Welisara
Players to watch out for:
Chameera Silva: The blind side flanker and try scorer from last week will look to excel this time around against arch rivals Navy. Chameera went almost unnoticed but his work at the breakdown was exceptional last week.
Nalaka Maduranga: Lock forward Nalaka looked solid in the scrum even though Army on a whole was not up to their mark in last week’s loss. The forward will be looking to up his work rate this week as Army seek to sink the Navy ship.
Dhanuska Perera: The Open-sider put in a massive performance against a weak CH team. Turning the ball over at crucial moments, he nipped the CH attack in the bud and will be looking to carry out his good form forward this week.
Lahiru Herath: playing in his debut season, the Centre has impressed in his past three games as he got on the scoresheet last week. Partnering with Lee Keegal, Herath will look to pose a threat to the Army line this week.
Kandy SC vs Police SC
Date: 26th November 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Nittawala
Kandy SC got back to winning ways and will look to maintain their form going into the 4th week as they take on a Police team that look in shambles. Police will face an uphill task to topple Kandy who is unbeaten at Nittawala.
Results 2015/16:
Kandy 44-17 Police at NIttawala.
Police 13-50 Kandy at Police Park.
Players to watch out for:
Shehan Pathirana: Former Havies Flanker combined well in the third row in his first match of the season. It didn’t look like his first start as he slotted in with ease and put in a tremendous performance and will look to impress this time around against Police.
Buwaneka Udangmuwa: Winning his first start of the season, the huge No. 8 was excellent against Army in his man of the match performance. He will be looking to stay injury free as he looks to make his presence felt this weekend.
Udara Sooriyapperuma: The captain has scored in two of the past three losing efforts of Police but will face a whole different and difficult task to overhaul Kandy in their home ground.
Mushin Faleel: The centre was nearly invisible in the first two games with the lack of front football and possession. His defensive efforts still stand out over every other Police player and he will hope the Cops get some front foot ball as they look to dethrone the Kings of Kandy at their home ground.
CR & FC vs Air Force
Date: 27th November 2016
Time: 4pm
Venue: Longdon Place
With a promising team at his disposal, Ben McDougal and the Lads from Longdon place have failed to live up to expectations so far. On the other hand, the Airmen have started with two wins in three and look promising. Air Force will look to pile the misery on CR while the hosts look to revive from the mini disaster at hand.
Results 2015/16:
CR & FC 19-17 Air Force at Longdon Place
Air Force 15-46 CR & FC at Rathmalana
Players to watch out for:
Shawket Lahir: The Open-sider has been performing well week in week out, putting in tireless work at the breakdown and in defence, not forgetting the attacking aspect of the back rower. Having been an integral part of the CR back row at the start of the season, Shawket was brutal against the Havies and will look to pose a threat to the Airmen.
Rowen Perry: The Sri Lanka born Australian power house is expected to Land in Sri Lanka on Wednesday and it will interesting to see where he will line up for CR if he is fit and ready to roll this week end.
Charith Senavirathna: Scored 5 penalties and a conversion last week, he has been a great star for the airmen. his game reading ability has been improved also his territorial kicks will play a vital role
Thilina Bandara: The tall Lock forward was in inspiring form last week against Police and also managed a try. He will look to make his presence felt at scrums and line outs and will surely be an imposing figure this weekend.
