Dialog Rugby League – Preview Week 7

The final week of the first round will kick off today (Friday) between CH&FC and Kandy SC at the Race Course Grounds.

Navy will travel to the hill capital to take on the defending champions and the table leaders Kandy SC. Meanwhile, on Saturday another crunch battle expected at Diyagama where Army hosts Police and CR&FC will travel to Ratmalana to face the Airmen.

CH&FC v Havelock’s     08.01.2016   KO: 4.00pm @ Race Course

Despite the loss last week for the men in Pink, their courageous effort still keeps up the momentum running in to the new-year and the second round. This game however, will provide the Park Club an opportunity to score as much as they can due to the weaker opponent. Although Havies second the table they are below par in terms of the number of tries have scored (16). Today perhaps is the day for them to get some extra numbers. CH&FC on the other hand are really struggling and they only had one close game where they lost 16 – 14 to Airmen.

Score Prediction – Havelock’s win by 50+

Army v Police   09.01.2016  KO: 4.00pm  @ Diyagama

Both teams have equal strengths but the Soldiers showed great sparks without big names in their troops. Last week’s 50 point win against CH&FC would have boosted their camp. On the other hand Police too won with a bonus point last week over Air Force, once again Rizah Mubarak, Henry Terrence, Chamara Dabare and Mohamed Sheriff will not be on the field. Leading points scorer Bilal Hassen is also out due to injury. Army full back Gayan Salinda has scored 56 points so far just one point below Arshad Jamaldeen of Kandy, who is leading the points scorers table. Ariyapala brothers have been outstanding along with the captain Asoka Jayalal for the Soldiers.

Players to watch out for – Dinushan Ariyapala (Army-Center) – Mushin Faleel (Police-Center)

Score Prediction – Army win by 3

Air Force v CR&FC  09.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Ratmalana

Air Force still struggles to impress this season. CR showing inconsistency once again. They must be absolutely gutted after the point loss to Navy last week. Nevertheless, this week it won’t be that easy for the Reds although they are favourites. Air Force full back Nuwan Perera was the highlight of the blue stripes but his performances have been unpredictable, especially the kicks at goal. Rochana Hettiarachchi of CR is also injured and Kanchana Ramanayake is more likely to start at 13.

Players to watch out for – Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force – Fly half) – Kavindu Perera (CR-Wing)

Score prediction – CR win by 10

Kandy v Navy    10.01.2016  KO: 4.00pm @Nittawela

The match of the week will be a grudge battle in the hills. Kandy showing true class week by week to defend their title. When these two teams played last at the same venue, Navy edged by a point. However, it is a different season without foreigners and also Navy has improved week by week in terms of their defense and attack. Sailors fly half Chanaka Chandimal and the full back Thilina Weerasinghe will have to play a pivotal role for any success. Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Dhanushka Perera and Nivanka Prasad have been excellent in loose forwards play. National U20 captain Omalka Gunarathne is also expected to strengthen the pack after missing the last game due to illness.

Roshan and Gayan Weerarathne have been carrying their experience in every game as both have produced some match winning performance so far in the season. Captain Fazil Marija needs no introduction as with his game management, line breaks and the try scoring ability he adds tremendous weight.. Arshad Jamaldeen has been the utility player and the top points scorer so far but has yet to make a statement with the big teams. Winger Vishwamithra Jayasinghe is perhaps the fastest in the island who did well in the last game. Kandy had some line out issues and if that is not rectified as yet, Sunday this may bother them a little. But their forwards have been showing attacking mobility and some ferocious defensive work.

Players to watch out for –  Buwaneka Udangamuwa (Kandy – No 8) – Sajith Saranga (Navy – lock)

Score Prediction – Kandy win by 4