The one thing the authorities didn’t think of – and you can’t really blame them for it at all – is that the December weather may just dampen what could otherwise be a very open season of Dialog Rugby action.
Most of these weeks matches were affected in some way by rain, and the quality of rugby is obviously diluted, as is the experience for the spectators.
In a bottom of the table clash, the Police came through to record their first win of the season against a Hambanthota Sharks side, whom even the mercurial Uale Mai, cannot seem to turn around. Obviously, as player coach his role is different from what it was for the Sabaragamuwa Staliions, and the 15 a side game is not his forte.
The Sharks have lost a few players due to its move to Hambanthota as the training ground, and while it is clear that moving the sport out of Colombo is the way to go, one needs to ask whether it is premature to move the Clubs out of Colombo, before establishing the game properly at school level in those districts and building a sustainable player base.
That’s a policy decision though, and it didn’t matter to police who were very happy to take away a 12 – 9 lead at the time the game was stopped after half time and awarded to them. Sharks were always in this game, and it is impossible to say what would have happened if the game went to full time. If the weather affects a top of the table clash, thunder and rumbling will certainly occur.
With four matches for decision on Saturday, the other one played outside of Colombo was in Nawalapitiya, where ironically, the rain didn’t affect the Lions’ home game against Navy. This was always going to be a difficult battle with Setefano Cakau and Joeli Lutumailagi taking on Lote Raikabula and Tevita. However, Navy showed why they are already title favourites as they took the game by 24 – 15 despite trailing at half time.
The Lions scored early through Sooriyabandara and Sashan Mohamed, but later on in the game Lutumailagi counter attacked brilliantly to score the brace that took his team well out in front.
The Lions have now lost two on the trot, and coach Imthi Marikkar will be feeling the pressure with a game against Havelocks still on the horizon.
Given that they have the dominant Bilal Hassen as a ball carrying and defensive forward, the Navy team can afford to play both Cakau and Lutumailagi in the backs. This is a huge advantage against teams that will almost always have only one foreigner in the back division on defence. The success rate, and the ease with which Navy have dispatched their opponents so far go to show their superiority. With the two explosive Fijians at in the line and probably the best balanced third row in Gertha, Bilal and Jason Dissanayake, Navy have a very mobile offensive and defensive unit. Add to that mix a big strong Nuwan Hettiarachchi, and Dinusha Chathuranga and title contention is very much a reality.
Moving to Colombo, CH had been ousted from their home ground by a cricket match (what are the times coming to) and were forced to play at a sparsely populated Royal complex. One angry spectator was very upset at having to pay LKR 400/- to watch the game which had no cheaper seats or standing room. Fair point. If you bring your family, you’re pretty much sunk.
In what was a home game CH were hoping to run their traditional rivals close as CR came calling. Before the game, CR with its much changed line up, which saw the entire back division from 9 – 15 being dropped from the Kandy game, CR may have sniffed some blood.
However, the deluge of a shower that the heavens despatched for the entirety of the first half, meant that Sanath Martis’ young side, were not able to even have glimpse of the ball. They dropped it early on in the piece, and with Gayan Liyanage’s early try calming the nerves, Shehan Dimithri’s CR team proceeded to take its opportunities unwaveringly.
The 82 – 10 thumping was a relief to a CR side which had suffered two losses, and the youngsters selected put a great deal of pressure on the dropped senior players. Rahul de Silva and Rimzi Jamaldeen combined brilliantly and Rimzi put Rafaele Va’a into space showing the extent of his talent while also converting six tries in horrible kicking conditions. CR seemed to have found the answer to its 10/12 selection headache, but Havelocks next week will be a tester
CH were dismal, and hearts went out to them as they have been decimated by all opposition. It is unfortunately how low the Club has sunk in just over decade when it last won the league. It is another good lesson for other Clubs on exactly how quickly fortunes can change.
Several spectators rushed from Reid Avenue to Havelock Park and ended up having to endure a delayed start once again due to the terrible thunderstorm. The Air Force showed early on against the defending champs that a little atmospheric disturbance was not enough to upset them and came out aggressively in the first half. They tried, and for a few minutes succeeded, in rattling the opposition enough to lead 8-5. However, the local greenhorns were no match for a Sandun Herath led blitz that Havelocks unleashed in the second quarter of the game.
Herath has been biding his time, and his two flashes of brilliance in the Madagascar game took Sri Lanka home. Also with a little bit of tiredness around the sevens tournament seemingly vanishing, the lad has taken a liking to 15s game again. Havelocks possess the two best wingers in the country at the moment, with Dhabare and Herath being strong, fast and powerful. Opposition teams will – like Air Force did – struggle to contain them.
Herath blitzed into the line at pace and coming off his wing, caught defenders unaware, and the wingers took their team to a 48 – 8 victory. Air Force look like they are improving though and once again, need to be applauded for the judicious use of public funds.
In the only match on Sunday, Army visited Kandy at their Nittawela fortress hoping to perform another giant killing. However, Kandy had other ideas and stubbornly refuse to be beaten at home. The secret of this Kandy side is that they settle into their stride very early and scored twice to take the wind out of Army’s bagpipes for a 14 – 3 lead.
The Army side came back into the game but just couldn’t handle the experience of the Kandy backs, who are still probably the most dangerous from turnover ball. Even so, Marija is the cog that turns this Kandy wheel, and if he is marked well by a strong defender, they do not have the likes of Liyanage and Weeraratne available at the moment. It is the best time to play Kandy SC if you want to even think about beating them.
The 38 – 25 scoreline tells the story, and Kandy will concede points although they will always score more than you. Nevertheless, they seem to have lost that sense of invincibility, which coach Neil Footie is trying to ressurect around the young players like Tharindu Chanaka, Wilvara and the Perera twins.
So at the end of week three there are three unbeaten teams. Havelocks, Navy and Kandy. My mouth is watering. Let’s just hope the rain stays away.
