Police have the edge over CH and FC

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

The Sri Lanka Police which is in a buoyant mood after two superb wins over Havelocks (18-13) and Air Force (32-27) should notch up their third successive victory when they confront CH and FC in their Caltex ‘A’ Division League Rugby match at Police Park today.

The forwards have played a key role in Police’s success. Prop forward Nalin Welagedera has been a source of inspiration to his team-mates with his fiery loose play ably supported by Malik Hettiarachchi, Gemunu Indrachapa, Pradeep Wilson, T. D. Seneviratne, and Gonawala and the Police ‘eight’ should maintain the supremacy in the loose.

The forte of the CH and FC is their back division. Their new halves combination of Ranuka Jayasinghe and Dinuk de S. Wijeyeratne have hit it off smoothly while centres Shane Aravinda, Avantha Hettiarachchi and winger Lakala Perera have tested the opponents defence to the hilt with their daring runs.

The lads from Maitland Crescent club despite fielding a depleted side put up a gallant display against CR and FC losing 17-23 and should give the Policemen a close run.

Police: Nalin Welagedara, Gemunu Indrachapa, Malith Hettiarachchi, Pradeep Wilson, Romesh Aracharige, T. P. Seneviratne, G. B. Gonawela, Sanjeeva Pushpakumara, Milinda Bandara and Anjula Wijeratne, Champika Thushara (Captain), Priyantha Ekanayake, Harshana Wijeweera, Jeevan Amaradasa, Hashan Gomes.

CH and FC: Sathya Ranatunge, Bimal Herath, Tharindu Herath, Sandun Kumara, Sanjaya Muthukumarana, Asanka Thalagalarchchi, Janaka de Silva, Dinesh Sanjeewa (Captain), Ranuka Jayasinghe and Dinuk de S. Wijeyeratne, Lakala Perera Avanath Hettiarachchi Shane Aravinda, Ameen Jameel, Indika Udayakumara.