Navy and Air Force will field formidable teams

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

Defending champions Kandy Sports Club who are striving to retain the Caltex 'A' Division League Rugby Title for a record 11th successive year will face a fierce challenge from the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force in the 2011 club rugby season.

The sailors finished third in last year's 'A' Division League losing just two matches to Kandy SC at Nittawela and CR and FC (9-13) at Longden Place while the first round game against CR was abandoned at Welisara due to lightning with the Navy leading 5-3 after just 20 minutes of play. They stormed into the Clifford Cup final with a stunning 19-12 win over CR in extra time before going down to Kandy SC 11-26 in the final.

Navy have obtained the services of five outstanding Sri Lanka ruggerites - CR and FC hooker and flanker Bilal Hassen, Kandy SC prop forward Eranga Swarnatilleke, CH and FC prop forward Sathya Ranatunga, CR and FC flanker Danushka 'Gertha' Perera and CR and FC winger Dinusha Chathuranga.

In addition Sri Lanka youth players Peterites Lakith Perera and Soyuru Anthony have also joined the Navy which is determined to clinch the 'A' Division League title this year under the leadership of Sri Lanka flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lanka Air Force which enjoyed one of the best seasons last year will also field a strong side this year.

The Airmen finished fourth in the Caltex 'A' Division League last year and stormed into the Clifford Cup semi-final and went down fighting (24-27) to Kandy SC at Bogambara.

Five Sri Lanka youth players - Peterite and National Under 19 skipper Shenal Dias, Kingswood skipper Rajitha Sansoni, hooker Uchitha Jayasuriya, flanker Chethiya Wadugodapitiya and Trinity centre Kanchana Ramanayake have joined the Air Force along with CH and FC lock forward Sandun Kumara.

Air Force will also have the services of several national players - skipper Milinda Jayasinghe, Jayantha Ranaweera, Radhika Hettiarachchi, Dilan de Zoysa and the duo of Chanaka Chandimal and Charith Seneviratne (who have been regular members of the Sri Lanka team for the last six months).