Another exciting weekend ahead and all eyes will be at the Havelock Park, where Sailors will come with the hope of spoiling the Pink and Chocolate party. Police travel to Nittawela on Sunday, CR&FC will play against CH&FC and Air Force will host the Soldiers in Ratmalana on Saturday.
Havelock’s v Navy 30.01.2016 KO: 6.30pm @ Havelock Park
A win is not enough for the Park Club unless it is a bonus point win to stay in contention with Kandy SC. Havelock’s total points so far is 45 after the end of week 9. Kandy is on top with 51 points. However, the Sailors will be coming strong after two consecutive losses in the last two weeks. Two good friends will be playing in the No 8 position, Omalka Gunarathne (Navy) and Lasindu Ishan (Havelocks) who played remarkably well for their schools last year. Also the Rajapaksa brothers will be playing in the flank position with the No 7 shirts on.
Hirantha Perera was outstanding last week and Rehan Thiyagarajah made his presence felt after missing almost 8 weeks with an elbow injury. Rimzie Jamaldeen will start at the half combination along with Rahul De Silva. Captain Sandun Herath also made some threatening runs last week and looks in good shape in this must win encounter. Dushmantha Priyadarshana is in fine form too but Prasath Madusankha’s lineout throw will play a huge part this Saturday.
On the other hand Navy’s Chanaka Chandimal has produced some fine tactical kicking and will be interesting to see whether he will kick or opt to run this time around. Dhanushka Perera made some ferocious tackles and turnovers and so has his opposite number Sudarshana Muthuthantri. These two players however, should keep their discipline to not concede sin-bin offences. Thilina Weerasinghe who had the best game last week scoring 20 points including 2 tries will be the key player for the Sailors.
Players to watch out : Nishon Perera (Havelock/Center) – Lee Keegal (Navy/Center)
Score Predictions : Havelock’s win by 5
Kandy v Police 31.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Nittawela
Captain Fazil Marija’s injury is a big loss for the defending champions. Roshan Weerarathne will lead the team for the remainder of the season. Arshad Jamaldeen is likely to start at no 10, but Kandy also have Srinath Sooriyabandara and Nigel Ratwatte to play at outside half. Police has found some form and they finished 4th spot after the end of week 9. However, Mohamed Sheriff will not be playing this Sunday for the Cops, but Rizah Mubarak and Reezah Raffaideen might start at full back and wing position. Kandy won with ease in the first round beating 50 – 13 at Police Park.
Players to watch out : Vishwamithra Jayasinghe (Kandy/Wing) – Chula Susantha (Police/Wing)
Score Predictions : Kandy win by 10+
CR&FC v CH&FC 30.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Longdon Place
CR conceded the first try to their arch rivals CH&Fc in the first round. Since then CH has improved and especially the last week against Police could perhaps be termed their best game so far. Captain Mohamed Rifkhan of CH&FC playing as a loose forward creates but they need more support and to get the basics right. CR&FC edged past Navy last week and hopefully they would have identified what needs to be done.
Players to watch out : Dilan Soyza (CR/Scrum half) – Janith Chandimal (CH/Full back)
Score Predictions : CR win by 15+
Air Force v Army 31.01.2016 KO: 4.00pm @Ratmalana
Army played extremely well at the start of the league where they even beat Navy by one point. However, they are not a team to stay or finish at the 6th place of the table. Ashan Bandara the fly half has been a revalation for the Soldiers, but sometimes they go out of focus in their game plan. Ariyapala brothers are also playing with a big heart in the center combination but Gayan Salinda’s kicking is a concern. Army won 37 – 25 in the first round. Air Force is still struggling to make an impact and they don’t look favourites to win this game but they still have a chance pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Players to Watch – Ashan Bandara (Army/Flyhalf) – Gayantha Iddamalgoda (AirForce/Flyhalf)
Score Predictions – Army win by 2
