Carlton sevens in full swing

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

One of Asia's rising sevens tournament, Carlton Super 7's commences today at the Bogambara ground, Kandy and will conclude its first leg tomorrow with 10 teams from across the country including over 40 top international players participating. Carlton Sports Club in collaboration with Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) conducting the tournament and the second and final leg will be worked off on June 2 and 3 at Police grounds in Colombo.

Central Kings

The reigning Champions Central Kings will battle to secure their crown with a formidable side captained by Mohomad Sheriff. They will enter the tournament with a winning mentality, but will receive a big challenge from the others.

They will have the service of talented local players Chula Susantha, Niroshan Karunanayaka, Pubudu Kodagoda, Rajitha Sansoni, Nijal Ratwatte, Malika Jayaruwan and Dilshan Kelaniyangoda. New Zealand player Zar Lawrence who represented the team in last year's tournament has joined the Central Kings again. Top class English sevens player Dan Norton, Englishman Matt Turner and American sevens captain Sagry Test are the foreign additions to the team.

They will be coached by the New Zealander Geoff Alley.

Eastern Eagles

Eastern Eagles who became seventh last year have come up with a strong out fit including top level local players Samantha Lakshan, Thusitha Samarathileka, Niroshan Fernando, Chamara Vithanage, Amjad Buksh, Sadun Herath, Anuruddha Wilwara and Sudarshana Muthuthanthri.

The international player list for the Eastern Eagles consisted of Chris Bristwel, Sam Edgerly, Tom Losefor and England's famous try scorer Simon Hunt. Simon maintains a superb record in the international scene and has scored 37 tries in 15 matches during the IRB sevens Championship.

England's Russel Earth Show will coach the Eastern Eagles.

Jaffna Challengers

The only team that did not represent a particular Province is the Jaffna Challengers. The combined team will be led by the skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa. The team comprises young local players who are determined to win the trophy this year. Eranda Weerakkody, Niranjan Wickramaratne, Rehan Weerakoon, Thilina Weerasinghe, Dilip Methruwan, Thuwan Shamrook and Mark Silva are the local team members while three top Fiji ruggerites, including Fiji captain Stephano Takawa, Osia Coliniyov and Imosi Wuthango have teamed up with the Jaffna Challengers. They became eight last year.

Englishman Mike Fiday is the team coach.

North Central Typhoons

With a fresh expectation Typhoons are ready to storm into the tournament with a die-hard attitude. The strong out fit will consist of Sajith Suhied, Chamara Dabare, Suranga Pushpakunara, Ruchira Rathnage, Gayan Rathnayake, Mushin Faleel, Voshan Mahawatta, Ashan Gallage and two American players Shalom Suniula and Joely Luto. Typhoons had an awful experience becoming 10th in last year.

New Zealand sevens Assistant Coach Clark Lydlow will coach the North Central Typhoons

North Western Blacks

Being one of the mostly spoken team, captained by Sri Lanka National and Air Force player Chanaka Chandimal, Blacks have picked four of world's top sevens players from the All Blacks, Frank Halai, Joe Webber, Warwick Lahmert and Chane Christie. There local crew will include some well experienced ruggerites who have represented Sri Lanka national squad and elite Clubs.

Radhika Hettiarachchi, Dilip Selvam, Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Prasad Devinda, Rishan Premageeth, Pium Jayasinghe, Soyuru Anthony and Bilal Hassen will play there best to thrash opponents on the field. They placed in fifth last year.

The team will be coached by a New Zealand Rugby Union resource coach Chris Niell.

Northern Gladiators

Gladiators will fight under the leadership of Dinesh Kumara and will have Gayan Rathnage, Lakala Perera, Shane Dissanayake, Indika Udaya Kumar, Mithun Hapugodage, Mohomad Rizvan and Pathum Chathuranga in the team. Gladiators included South Africans M.J. Ments, Ranfred Desal, Dean Helberg and New Zealand's S.M. Sabeer.

The team was placed ninth in last year's tournament. South Africa's Neil Pawell will coach the Northern Gladiators team.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions

Saliya Handapangoda will be the captain of the Stallions and will have a strong line up armed with All Blacks quartet Mark Jackman, Braise Him, Jack Wilson and Jonathan Marlo.

They will play a speedy game with their young local players Charith Seneviratne, Andrew Benz, Udaya Hettiarachchi, Gayan Udara Liyanage, Heshan Gunartne and Dinesh Liyanage. Stallions became sixth in last year.

Charls Backster of New Zealand will coach Stallions.

Southern Sharks

Last year's runner-ups Sharks will battle with a great team spirit to enter the final in this year as well. The team comprised eight local players, three New Zealanders and a Fiji player. Dinusha Chathuranga, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Dushan Lewke, Shanaka Kumara, Mekalanka Promoda, Shurby Mohomad, Kosala Thisera and Ashen Karthelis will unite with Nalu Tiyugamala, Edwin Cocker, Malaki Fekito and Fijian F. Tuwai in fierce Sharks' attack. Australian Krin Romeg will coach Sharks.

Uva Vipers

Vipers, who won the third place last year is another formidable side with a potential to challenge any of the teams. They will have the New Zealand sevens captain D.J. Fobes as their captain while IRB's Player of the Year Tomasi Cama along with another Blacks player, Tim Mickelson has also signed up for the team. Uva Vipers will also have the service of an Englishman Dan Norton apart from the dynamic local players Risa Mubark, Lasintha de Costa, Mohomad Shasan, Duminda nayakartne, Ashen de Costa, Lee Keegal, Ranjan Seneviratne and Chilanka Sudaraka. New Zealand's Peter Wood is the coach of the team.

Western Warriors

Warriors have strengthen by adding some talented players and will look forward to perform better than previous year. They ended up in forth last time. Famous All Blacks sevens players Lote Raikabula and Waisake Naholo along with Samova players Rupeny Levasi and Flemica Seliseli have teamed up with the local players Dilan Soysa, Vishvamithra Jayasinghe, Shenal Dias, Sasanka Ariyaratne, Rajitha Abeykoon, Kanchana Ramanayake, Madhushan Iddamalgoda and Jeewan Amaradasa.

Blair Mills of New Zealand will coach the Western Warriors.