As the 2018/19 Dialog Rugby League edges closer to its conclusion in perfect fashion this weekend with a host of local rivals set to battle it out.
CR & FC welcome Navy to Longdon Place and Police make the short trip across to face Havelock, but undoubtedly the big game of the weekend is Kandy’s must-win clash away with age-old foes CH & FC.
Third on the table heading into Saturday’s match at Racecourse, Ronnie Ibrahim’s men know a victory at home against table toppers is essential if they are to stand any chances of toppling the visitors off the summit.
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What’s at stake?
Sitting pretty on top, Kandy head into this fixture following a barnstorming win and know nothing but a victory will be enough if they are to continue their dominance.
Hosts CH have been in flying form themselves, winning 6 on the bounce. However, the lads from Maitland Crescent know that if they are to have any chance of having a crack at second place, nothing but a bonus-point victory would do.
Form so far?
After failing to kick start their campaign in the first round, CH have managed to remain unbeaten in the second — recording wins against all teams below them in the table — but this will be the greatest test of them all as they take on powerhouse Kandy.
In contrast, Kandy been their usual self, dominating through out, however an unexpected defeat at the hands of Army at home — putting an end to Kandy’s 26 unbeaten run — was made to look a slight hiccup as proceedings were restored with a commanding 32-point win last weekend.
Last meeting
The omens are positive for a classic clash this weekend.
Last time around, the pair played out a scintillating game of rugby up in the Hill Capital, however it was the home team who came out on the correct side of the result, scoring 6 tries in reply to CH’s 3.
Kandy’s backs shone as expected but their forwards were not too far away adding the much needed imputes at the correct time.
Hopes are high that Saturday’s encounter will be similarly enthralling.
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Key players
Thilina Wijesinghe’s most recent heroics shoot him back to the summit of the points scorer charts but equally impressive Samuel Maduwantha will surely be baring down his opponents neck, knowing what sort of a price is at stake.
But while Thilina impressed, the standout individual in the League is none other than Dhanushka Ranjan — sitting pretty on top of the try scorer list —
Former Navy Eighth man Niwanka Prasad has been joined by the likes of former Peterite and Pathanian, Anuradha Herath and Sudam Sooriarchchi in impressing for CH – and the quartet could well again be key at Racecourse on Saturday.
