CH and Havelocks out to give a better display

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Two clubs with a proud rugby history CH and FC and Havelocks Sports Club will be out to give a much better display this year having being relegated to the Plate Championship in the second round of the Caltex 'A' Division League last year.

An exodus of players to other clubs resulted in these two clubs giving a woeful performance with CH and FC finishing in seventh position with just three victories over Army (26-16) Havelocks (25-0) and Police (22-14) in ten matches while the Park club had a solitary win over CH by 20-5 in the first round game and a 24-all draw against Navy to end up last in the points table.

The return of former Sri Lanka skipper Sajith Mallikarachchi, ex-Sri Lanka No 8 Dilanka Wijesekera, scrum half Tuan Shamrock and veteran Sashika Cooray is a morale-booster for CH according to the President of the club Shane Dullewa.

He said that CH and FC hoped to obtain the services of a foreigner to coach the club this year. The pack will have players of the calibre of Sashika Cooray, Bimal Herath, Chaminda Herath, Asanka Thalagalarachchi, ex-Police skipper and flanker Nilusha Fernando, Sri Lanka lock forward Dinesh Sanjeewa, Isipatana skipper Tharindu Siriwardena and that superb No 8 Dilanka Wijesekera.

The back division has been strengthened with Sajith Mallikarachchi likely to occupy the pivotal fly half berth and pair off with Tuan Shamrock.

Two hard runners and solid tacklers Shane Dissanayake and Avantha Hettiarachchi will play as centres once again.

That powerful runner and Sri Lanka player Lakala Perera is tipped to lead the club and will once again man the wings with young Ameen Ismail. Former Rajan Indika Wickramanayake or Indika Udayakumara will occupy the last line of defence.

Havelocks Sports Club too has been bolstered by the return of Sri Lanka ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen and the recruitment of Thomian flanker and Sri Lanka youth player Shehan Muthutantri.

Former Sri Lanka lock forward Kavinda Jayasena has been picked to lead the Park club in 2011. His inspiring leadership enabled Havelocks to finish third in the 'A' Division League in 2008 winning seven matches out of 12.

The pack will have the services of seasoned campaigners Rajiv Perera, Chathuranga Amarasinghe, Andrew Jegan, Asela Dissanayake, skipper Jayasena and Diren Warnakulasuriya (who crossed over from CR and FC last year) and young players of the calibre of Peterite Lee Keegel and Sri Lanka under 20 player Shehan Muthutantri.

The back division will comprise the experienced Roshan Rajapakse, Sajith Bandara, Wasim Thajudeen, Zakir Badurdeen, Chanaka Fonseka, Harsha Weerakkody and talented youngsters Ranjan Baddegama, Thusitha Samaratilleke and Sumith Jagoda.

This year our intention is to finish within the first five in the 'A' Division League, said Havelocks coach Thusitha Peiris.