Army - Up Country Lions clash should be a thriller

Thushan Jayasuriya

A nail biting fight is likely to be take place between Sri Lanka Army and Up Country Lions in the quarter final Dialog Knock Out tournament for the Clifford Cup 2012 which will be played at Havelock Park, today at 4.30 pm.

The gallant Sri Lanka Army, who have being the doldrums in the previous seasons, made vast progress in the second round of the Dialog ‘A’ Division league tournament with some smashing victories over CH and FC (43-22), Air Force (46-14), CR and FC (52-13) and won the decider by overcoming the Police Sports Club by 21 - 19 to clinch the Plate Championship.

However, their opponents Up Country Lions cannot be under-estimated as they also possess a strong team which can pose a severe threats to their opponents. The lads from Nawalapitiya has shown their powers in the current rugby league by ending up in fourth position with victories over reputed teams like CH and FC, Air Force, CR and FC and Navy.

The lads from Nawalapitiya have fine three Quarter line Sri Lanka Seven’s skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara and National Sevens player Nigel Ratwatte have combined well while Radhika Hettiarachchi, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe Niroshan Karunanayake have also stood out with their dazzling runs.

Army will rely on their power packed forwards Nushal Meepage, Asoka Jayalal, Nishantha Kotelawala, Ajith Pushpakumara, Dinesh Suranga and Mohammed Akram who are likely to come upwith a sterling display to dominate in the loose.

They also had the services of an accurate place-kicker in Upali Wickramasinghe who has kicked them to victory on many occassions.

The winners of this game will confront the winners of the Sunday’s quarter final between Havelocks and Air Force in the semi final at Havelock Park on October 3.

[The teams]

Army – Nishantha Kotelawala, Asoka Jayalal, Nushal Meepage, Dinesh Suranga, Ajith Pushpakumara, Gayan Ratnayake, Sameera Silva, Mohammed Akram, Upali Wickramasinghe and Upul Kumara (Captain), Saliya Handapangoda, Ariyapala, Epi Kokonosiga, Thusitha Senanayake, Salinda Ekanayake.

Up Country Lions – Dunstan de Silva, Uchitha Jayasuriya, Desmond Wilson, Sharo Fernando, Hasitha Perera, Dilip Selvam, Sajith Saranga, Mathew Time (Captain), Srinath Sooriyabandara and Nigel Ratwatte, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Tevita Taufai, Radhika Hettiarachchi, Mohammed Sashan, Rajitha Samsoni.