Kandy SC, Havies looking to maintain unbeaten streak

Hafiz Marikar

The Dialog Rugby League tournament is half way through with all clubs finishing seven games by this evening, with one more game left in the first round. All matches have been played to the tournament format. Only defending champions Kandy Sports Club and Havelock Sports Club are unbeaten. But by this evening one side has to be a loser, or figure in a draw.

The Navy SC, Havelock SC and defending champions Kandy SC continue to be on top of the points table 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with Army SC 4th, followed by Up-Country Lions, Police SC, CR & FC, Air Force SC and CH &FC respectively.

Dialogs has come in to partner the SLRFU and help in the promotion of Sri Lanka rugby. The President SLRFU Asanga Seneviratne said "We wanted a partner who will not only support the Union financially but has the commitment and passion to take rugby to a new level"

With Sri Lanka Rugby on the right path with huge promotions from sponsors and partners the standard of refereeing should simultaneously develop and improve for the game to be more exciting and attract many more spectators for all games.All Clubs spend a lot of money, in bringing down overseas players of repute, maintaining the local players and overseas players including foreign coaches for clubs is a major commitment.

Sri Lanka rugby lovers go to every venue to see and support their favorite club competing at their best. In most cases they are disappointed, due to sub-standard refereeing which tarnishes the image of the game and the sport. Now it is high time, that the SLRFU keep an eye on the Referees like in the good old days and bring them under their supervision to monitor and ensure that all categories of referees are evaluated and proper training and guidance given to them and even recruit new referees who have a good rugby background to follow the training.

Until then, it would be wiser to get down overseas referees for important fixtures or with the Asian Rugby Football Union with exchange of referees on a mutual understanding.

It is most disappointing to watch when a player does something wrong he is reprimanded, but when a referee does wrong what is the action taken against him? Therefore, the Referees Society should immediately take steps to upgrade themselves with advices of the ARFU Referees Society or send eligible persons from here to be trained overseas and when they get back to conduct training courses for the present referees and the new recruits.

Navy SC - led by third row forward Yositha Rajapaksa has a well balanced side and with the guidance of Ronnie Ibrahim, have won six games in the current Rugby League.

Last week after a superb performance in the first half, lost to Havelock SC by 20 points to 22.

Out of their seven games they have won six and lost one and have obtained 35.50 points. The Sailor's rugby on show is enterprising.

The manner in which they are playing at the moment, should see them on top. All depends how the defending champions Kandy SC perform in their remaining two games. Navy is the only club who has not won a trophy as yet.

The Navy SC forwards are very big and heavy compared to other clubs. They are fast on their feet and play as a unit. To name a few Namal Rajapaksa, Sumedha Malawana, skipper Yositha Rajapaksa, Bilal Hassan and Rohitha Rajapaksa. Their halves combination of Suranga Pushpakuamra and Dev Anand should make use of the good ball. They must run their fast three-quarters Chula Susantha, Ratu Taniela, Cakgunivalu Setefano, Eranda Weerakody and Reza Mubarak to score tries.

Suranga when ball in hand should remember that rugby is a team game. Navy came into big time rugby in 1975, after they were promoted to "A" division. In that season the side was led by third row forward P.L.B. Nandasiri and were fortunate to have the services of two top Sri Lanka footballers, in fly half M. Nazeeb and full back Tom Halideen. Some of the names which come to my mind are, T. M. N. Sherifdeen, H.A. Ramanayake, Somapala Perera, C.Wadiyarthne, M.T.R.S.Perera, N.K.Nandasiri, and their maiden victory in big time rugby was against the Police SC. That was in June 1975, at Army Grounds Galle Face, where today the Hotel Taj stands.

Havelock SC - the first winners of the club competition are one of the top contenders for the League title this year. They are lying second in the table with six wins and have 34.50 points. Having been in Sri Lanka for over three years is Laga Tavita doing his best to make the Havelock SC team one of the best. Havelock SC have the potential to perform well.

This year they have settled down to playing some solid rugby to recapture their past glory they enjoyed.

Havelock SC is a side from whom a lot is expected this season. They have some top players of the caliber of skipper Terrance Henry, Lee Keegal, Mohamed Sheriff, Ravi Jayasuriya, Thusitha Samrathilak, Rajeev Perera, Karvinda Jayasena, Dhiran Warnakulasuriya, Chamra Vitanage, Amjad Buksh, Nisan Aitui.

Last year's third placed Havies are determined to pocket the League title. They have not won a major rugby title for a long time.They last won a major rugby title in 1984 when they clinched the President's trophy by beating Police SC b y 12 points to 6. Since then the park club has not won a major trophy except for the rugby sevens titles which they won in 1986, 1987 and 1995. Their last league title was in 1981.

Kandy SC - the defending champions have an exciting young side, led by utility player Saliya Kumara and have over 10 internationals and have won all their games. They have a wealth of talent in their forwards spearheaded by Daniel Halliday, Kishore Jehan, Maleko Latu, Achala Perera, Anuranga Walpola, Senaka Bandara, Sashika Jayawardene, Sean Wijasinghe, Gayan Jayawardene, Aravinda Udanguwa, Keith Gurusnghe, Sean Wijasinghe.

Their back division too comprises of some exciting players of the caliber of Roshan Weeraratne, Prasad Chaturange, Fazil Marija, M. Jabar, Nuwan Hettiarchchi, Oshan Peera, Lavnaga Perera, Pradeep Liyanage, Gayan Weerartne, Eddie Lolohea, Saliya Kumara.

So, the Kings of local club rugby, with this star studded line-up are hoping for a clean sweep this time as well. Unfortunately they have been hit with a few injuries to key players. But the injured players should recover in time for the big games ahead. Their aim is the Dialog Rugby League 2012. Overall Kandy SC have won the SLRFU rugby league for 12 consecutive years and 15 times overall.

The are coached by Johan Taylor, an experienced coach with years of experience. Even the All India team when they were here obtained his advice.Kandy's godfather Malik Samarawickrema and there ever green President Dr. Sarath

Kapuwatte together with Secretary Nihal Ratwatte and the rest of the committee members are doing there best to keep the team live and kicking. Today they will meet Havelock SC at Nittawela which is going to be an important game.

They are placed third in the table with 33.50 points. So, this evening they will go all out to bring down the fancied Havelock SC at Nittawela.

Army SC - are placed 4th. They have 17.50 points and are blessed with some talented players and have earned a reputation as one of the attacking sides. In the last three games they have done there best and hoping to do much better in the remaining game against arch rivals Police SC today.

Up-Country Lions - New comers to the sport, are placed 5th, with three wins, are doing all what they can do to be on top and play in the cup competition.

Much is expected from the Up-Country Lions in the remaining games. Today they play CR & FC at Longden Place., and their rugby chairman Siva Subramanium is planning to keep the team on top along with team manager Hassan Sinhawansa.

Police SC - began the season on a losing note, but has hit back and are doing very well with three wins in six outings. The rugby that the Police is playing at present is similar to what they played in the late 1970's and 1980's.

This year's team has improved tremendously over the last few weeks and there is every possibility that they would give a good account in the 2nd round.

To do so they have to beat the Soldiers and the Airmen. CR and FC, Air Force SC and CH.

CH & FC - are having a lean season with most of their players having left to play for different clubs. CR & FC will be playing the Up-Country Lions today at home, and should do well.

They have won two games in six outings. Air Force is the only team without foreigners.