Navy have the edge over CH

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Navy Sports Club which is in a buoyant mood after registering two sensational victories over the star studded CR and FC (18-3) and the mighty Kandy SC (12-11) will go all out to notch up their third successive win when they confront CH and FC at Welisara today. The kick off is scheduled for 4.45 p.m.

CH and FC scraped through to victory over a youthful Air Force outfit by 24-22 last Saturday but they will have to come up with a much better display if they hope to topple the high-riding sailors who emerged victorious by 18-12 in the first round game played at Maitland Crescent.

The lads from Maitland Crescent who were off to a flying short for the season with two smashing wins over Police (39-15) and Havelocks (56-6) have failed to live upto expectations since then losing six matches in eight swings since then.

The main reason for their poor performance has been the pathetic display of their three quarters despite fielding a superb set of forwards.

Today a terrific tussle for supremacy can be expected up front with CH's power-packed forwards especially Jayantha Ranaweera, Sathya Ranatunge, Achala Perera, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Sharo Fernando, Dilanka Wijesekera being confronted by the marauding Navy 'eight' spearheaded by skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa who has been an inspiration to his team-mates with his fiery loose play ably supported by Piumal Manchanayake, Swarnatilleke, Namal Rajapaksa, Shehan Deen, Ravi Jayasuriya and sturdily built Sumedha Malewana. Navy with a superior back division will strive to make the maximum use of the good ball that comes their way by setting their three quarters in motion at every opportunity.

Their halves combination of Suranga Pushpakumara and Samantha Lakshan have hit it off smoothly while Dilip Methruwan, Chula Susantha and Brenda Weerakkody are hard runners who are capable of breaching the CH defence with full back Nuwan Hettiarachchi joining the line to form the overlap.

Hettiarachchi has been a tower of strength with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch in addition to his accurate place kicking.

CH will hope that their 'threes' will give a much better display today if they hope to topple the sailors who have gone from strength to strength this season.

NAVY - Piumal Manchanayake, Anuradha Gunasekera, Suranga Swarnatilleke, Ravi Jayasuriya, Sumedha Malewana, Shehan Deen, Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Captain), Namal Rajapaksa, Suranga Pushpakumara and Samantha Lakshan, Niranjan Wickramaratne, Dilip Methruwan, Chula Susantha, Eranda Weerakkody, Nuwan Hettiarachchi.

CH and FC - Jayantha Ranaweera, Achala Perera (Captain), Sathya Ranatunge, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Gayashan Wijesinghe, Sharo Fernando, Wasamba Senarath, Dilanka Wijesekera, Milinda Jayasinghe and Naren Dhason, Heshan Gunaratne, Avantha Hettiarachchi, Shane Dissanayake, Mithun Perera, Asanka Perera.