Air Force team - a blend of youth and experience

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

A team which is making a determined bid to once again emerge as a force to be reckoned with in 'A' division rugby is the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The Airmen have failed to live up to expectations during the last few years despite producing three national players in Suranga Arunashantha, Rohan Fernando and Chanaka Chandimal.

Their best performance in recent years was in 2006. They came up with a gallant display to go down fighting to CR and FC by 29-36 in the final of the second leg of the Singer Professional Sevens at Ratgama.

The Airmen also clinched the Plate Trophy of the Caltex 'A' division league tournament and led 13-11 midway in the second half of the Clifford Cup semi-final before losing 13-25 to eventual champions CR and FC.

This year Air Force have been bolstered by the presence of four top ruggerites from CH and FC, former Sri Lanka scrum half Milinda Jayasinghe, lock forwards Damith Perera, Wasamba Senerath and full back Mithun Hapugoda in addition to four outstanding schoolboy ruggerites of last year - Royal's Shamir Fajudeen, Ranga Perera, Vidyartha's Migara Wijeratne, Nalandian Menikgamarachchi and Sri Lanka and CR winger Dinesh Kumara.

The airmen lost to the formidable Navy outfit by a whisker (5-6) in the very first match of the season and went onto score a smashing 20-3 win over Havelocks last week.

The team is a blend of youth and experience and should create some major upsets this season. Air Force will be captained by that fine attacking player and fierce tackler - Trinitian Dinesh Weeraratne who will play as a flanker alongside former skipper Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, a tireless loose player and a solid tackler. Ex-Nalandian Menikgamarachchi who is shaping up well at practices will be the regular number eight. Veteran Saumya Silva is assured of a prop forward's berth while the trio battling it out for the other position are the experienced Liston Silva, Peterite Sajeewa Samaranayake and Royalist Shamir Fajudeen.

The hooker's berth will be filled by Buddhi Bandara. Last year's CH and FC ruggerites Damith Perera and Wasamba Senerath will be the regular lock forwards with Prasanna Soysa and Royalist Ranga Perera making a determined bid to oust one of them.

Former Sri Lanka scrum half Milinda Jayasinghe faces a strong challenge from Radeesha Seneviratne for the scrum half position. The pivotal fly half berth will be filled by Chanaka Chandimal (who gave a superb display for Sri Lanka in the Asian division one final against Singapore).

Charith Seneviratne who is also a fine place kicker and Migara Wijeratne will be the regular centres with the injured Suranga Arunashantha likely to return to the side for the second round matches.

Ex-Sri Lanka and CR player Dinesh Kumara and Pubudu Kodagoda will occupy the wings while the last line of defence will be manned by either Mithun Hapugoda or Uthapala Edirisinghe.

Former Kandy SC skipper and Sri Lanka Sevens coach Imthisham Marikar is taking great pains to mould them into a force to be reckoned with and is receiving all the support and encouragement from Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke and Chairman of Air Force Rugby Air Commodore Vijitha Gunaratne.