CH and FC out to give a better display this year

Thushan Jayasuriya

CH and FC with a golden ray of hope, is trying to show off their colours in the current league rugby tournament with a strong team studded with experienced players including Lakala Perera, Indika Udayakumara, Awantha Hettiarachchi, Niroshan Ekanayake, Shane Dissanayake and Bimal Herath. This time the squad is working tirelessly to reach their target.

This time they won the captain's game against CR and FC 14 - 11. But, unfortunately they suffered defeats at the hands of Navy (13 - 26) and Kandy SC (10 - 18).

CH and FC has a proud rugby history. They last won the 'A' division league rugby title in the year 2000 with a 25 - 16 win over CR and FC in the decider having scored a smashing 33 - 11 win over the mighty Kandy SC in the first round game at Maitland Crescent. Three years later (2003) the lads from Maitland Crescent had another marvellous season finishing runners-up of the Caltex 'A' division league winning 12 matches out of 14 losing one and being held to a 25 all draw by Havelocks.

They also ended runners up of the Clifford Cup knock out tournament that year losing to Kandy SC 18 - 35 in the final. But during the last few years due to an exodus of players to other clubs CH rugby standard declined which resulted in them being relegated to the plate championship in the second round of the Caltex 'A' division league during the last two years.But the golden era of CH and FC rugby was during the five year period 1990 to 1994 during which they won the rugby triple thrice.

In 1990 under Imran Sallay they won the 'A' division league the Clifford Cup (with 4 - 0 win over Havelocks) and the Premadasa trophy by beating CR 12 - 3 in the final . Three years later (1993) under the captaincy of Hisham Abdeen they clinched the triple again by winning the 'A' division league, Premadasa trophy with a 16 - 0 win over Kandy SC and the rugby sevens title by edging out Havelocks 18 - 16 in the final.

In 1994 under the leadership of Nishantha Dias CH and FC won the Clifford Cup by beating CR 15 - 11, Premadasa trophy with a smashing 31 - 16 win over Havelocks and the rugby sevens title which gave them the rugby triple for the third time within five years. although they surrendered the 'A' division league title to Kandy SC

The team is led by experienced Tuan Shamrock and Indika Udayakumara will be his deputy.Their prime intention for the season is to remain in the first four and clinch the league rugby championship.

Udesh Perera, Bimal Herath, Azeed Ismail, Ryan Dias and Mohamed Azad will play for the Prop Forwards position. The hookers berth will be occupied by Parakrama Rathnayake and Sachith Chathuranga. The Locks will be Chanaka Bandara, Chamindra Herath and Namal Ediriweera. Mohamed Rifkhan, Tubla Tokuma, Niroshan Ekanayake, Nilusha Fernando, Janath Dodanwala will contest for Flankers berth.The duo Dushantha Honnanthara and Bhanuka Hegoda will fight for Number Eight.

The Captain Tuan Shamrock will play his pet position as Scrum Half while he faces a strong challenge from Lahiru Praboth and Duminda Abeysekara. The seasoned trio Ricky Dhananjaya, Prasad Perera and Sahan Anuradha will play as Fly Halves.Awantha Hettiarachchi is the first choice among the Centres.The others who could fit into the same position are Shane Dissanayake, New Zealander Alexender Samoa and James Time.Vice Captain Indika Udayakumara is assured of one Wingers berth while the other position will be occupied by Chanaka Fernando, Lakala Perera or Diluka Weerasuriya.

The last line of defence is going to be filled by the battle hardened Indika Wickramanayake or Anushka Uthpala or experienced Nalin Kumara.

The Coach of the team Tony Amit says that most of the players are from various schools of the country and they have been working hard since past two months to perform well in the season.

The discipline and team spirit is in a good level. Apart from that he said CH and FC is the only club that includes players from 23 schools with developed performances.

The CH & FC Rugby Squad

Prop Forwards : Udesh Bandara, Bimal Herath, Azeed Ismail, Ryan Dias, Mohamed Azad

Hookers : Parakrama Rathnayake, Sachith Chathuranga

Lock Forwards : Chanaka Bandara, Chamindra Herath, Namal Ediriweera

Flankers: Mohamed Rifkhan, Tubla Tokuma, Niroshan Ekanayake, Nilusha Fernando, Janath Dodanwala

Number Eight : Dushantha Honnanthara, Bhanuka Hegoda

Scrum Half : Tuan Shamrock (Captain), Lahiru Praboth, Duminda Abeysekara

Fly Half : Ricky Dhananjaya, Prasad Perera, Sahan Anuradha

Centres : Awantha Hettiarachchi, Shane Dissanayake, Alexender Samoa

Wingers : Indika Udayakumara (Vice Captain), Chanaka Fernando , Lakala Perera , Diluka Weerasuriya

Full Backs : Indika Wickramanayake, Anushka Uthpala, Nalin Kumara

Coach : Tony Amit

Remaining Fixtures

July 7 : v Havelocks at Havelock Park

July 15 : v Police at Police Park

July 21 : v Army at Maitland Crescent

July 28 : v Air Force at Ratmalana

August 4 : v CR and FC at Longden Place