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| Sunday, 14 July 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Kandy has edge in battle against CR by S.M. JIFFREY ABDEEN - Kandy sports correspondent The high riding Kandy Sports Club will face their biggest test in defence of their league title when they clash with CR & FC in their Caltex League 'A' division ruby tournament match to be played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy today at 5 p.m. Both teams are unbeaten but Kandy lead the table of points with 43.9 points with CR & FC placed second with 41.1 points and points difference being the bonus points obtained by Kandy through their try scoring machine having scored 523 points which included 79 tries against 343 points by CR & FC through 51 tries. The clash between these two teams have always generated fire and thunder over the years and this year it will be more as both teams are in toping form with Kandy having an edge and also playing in their home terrain will definitely give them an advantage and they will be cheered lustily by their supporters. Kandy this season have run through their opponents except the Police whom they beat after a close fight. But since they have bounced back to form having beaten Havelocks SC, CH & FC and the strong army outfit by comfortable margins. Kandy's free scoring machine is so powerful that they have topped the half century mark on five occasions including their highest in club against the Old Zahirians whom they beat 109 - 3. Kandy's indefatigable No. 8 Harris Omar is playing at his best and is expected to dish out another fine display along with, Jeewa Galgamuwa, Mohammed Buksh, skipper Pradeep Basnayake, Asoka Jayasena, Kapila Silva, Neranjan Ranasinghe, Sean Wijesinghe in the front. The backs will have the halves combination of Amjad Buksh and Nilfer Ibrahim and the powerful three quarter line which has been responsible for high scoring will have Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Sajith Mallikarachchi, Indrajith Bandaranayake, Radhika Hettiarachchi and the brilliant place kicker Nalaka Weerakkody to man the last line defence. Facing a virtual Sri Lanka side the 'Red Shirts' will have a tough time but they have stuff to restrain the Kandy team in running up a big score having in the front row players of the calibre of Shantha Rohana, Viraj Prasantha, Lakmal Abeysuriya, with support from Roshan Fernando and Sumedha Abeysignhe. The third row is strong with young Shamly Nawaz, Pavithra Fernando and Savantha de Saram. The 'Red Shirts' have proven this season that their strength lies in their three quarters with incisive runners in the calibre Kishan Musafer, Harin Kaluarachchi, Dilan Abeygunawardena and Nishantha Ekanayake, with skipper Asange Rodrigo manning the last line of defence. Their halves combination of the experienced Champika Nishantha and Roshan Peiris have combined well this season. All in all it all points out to a rig bruising battle and top class fare is in store for the rugby fans at Nittawela this Sunday. |
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