Cross overs galore in club rugby

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Several outstanding ruggerites who played a key role in the success of their clubs last year have crossed over to other clubs in the 2008 season.

Sri Lanka full back Radhika Hettiarachchi and his brother Avantha who played a key role in the success of CR and FC and Sri Lanka in the Rugby Asiad in which Sri Lanka emerged runners-up have crossed over to Kandy SC and will turn out for the defending champions along with former Sri Lanka youth player and CH and FC lock forward Zaffer Jahn.

The reigning President's Trophy champions CR and FC have obtained the services of last year's Kandy SC and Sri Lanka number eight Dushanth Lewke, ex-Kandy SC and Sri Lanka Flanker Danushka Perera, Kandy SC winger Mohamed Jabbar and fly half Dev Anand who too played a few matches for Kandy SC.

Havelocks Centre Niroshan Karunanayake who donned the Sri Lanka Jersey at the Singer Rugby Asiad last year has also joined the Red Shirts and scored two splendid tries in CR's 29-3 win over Air Force.

CH and FC have strengthened their back division with the inclusion of former Air Force Centre Rushika Fernando but have lost the services of two key players - former Navy and Sri Lanka lock forward Manjula Ruwantilleke who is likely to join Police Sports Club and Sri Lanka youth player Zaffar Jahn who has switched allegiance to Kandy SC.