Navy leads Dialog League Rugby with 39 to Kandy's 34

by Hafiz Marikar

The Inter-Club first round league Rugby Tournament is nearing conclusion with just one match left for Kandy Sports Club that is against CH and FC on 3rd January, in Colombo and on the same day Hambantota Sharks Sports Club will play host to Havelock Sports Club, on 4th Sunday CR and FC play Air Force SC, Police SC play Army SC. Only Navy Sports Club has finished their matches.

The Kandy Sports Club seven games and Navy Sports Club with eight games continue to lead the points table with 34 and 39 points. respectively.

Both these teams have lost only one game in their round of matches.

The closest contender for the third place is the Havelock Sports Club with 27 points having won five and lost two.

Kandy Sport Club - Is a very promising and exciting side led by Sean Wijesinghe with a number of a good International players. Sean has led the side a couple of years back, and this time he led the side to win all the games excepting for that shocking defeat at the hands of Army Sports Club. They have a wealth of talent in their forwards although small in size.

The back division comprises some talented and fast attacking players of the calibre of Fazil Marija, Lavanga Perera, Gayan & Roshan Weeraratne, A. Wilwara, Neigel Ratwatte with the match maker who makes the difference as their fly half Fazil Marija. Their overseas players are also clicking well with and are now becoming a formidable side to contest for the Championship now they are with 34 points with a game in hand.

Navy Sports Club - Led by Yositha Rajapaksa, the current holders of the league title, are playing well as a team and also provides a lot of entertaining rugby with their run and pass game. Their players are dedicated to their task and I am sure they will be more wins in the second round as they play together. In their last game against the Park Club, producing some fast open rugby with their players in peak form, specially in the last quarter of the game they kept on the pressure and played cohesive rugby, they have pocketed 39 points, completing all their first round games.

Havelock Sports Club - Led by Sudarshana Muthuthanthri were one of the top contenders as the table-leaders in the first round, are now lying third in the table with five wins, they have all the ingredients to get back to their earlier form to click better. They have all the potential to perform better, but some "hoodoo" seems to be prevailing over them.

It is time that they settle down to some solid rugby to recaptured the past type of play. What can be seen is they change players when it is not required.

The talk is why Havelock Sports Club bench are pulling out players when they at their peak. It is certain that they will iron out their problems and play better in the 2nd round, they are with 27 points.

Police SC - Led by Ashan Gomes are coming back to the game, one should remember in the late 1970's and 1980's they were the top side, wining trophies after trophies, but in the last couple of years they failed to do well. Now their rugby is gradually improving for the better. It would be most interesting if this team pulls out surprises as they did against the CR & FC then the table will be open once again. In their last outing, they beat Air Force Sports Club in a hard fought win despite the Air Force being at the bottom of the table with 27 points.

CR and FC - Led by Ashan de Costa ended their losing streak, by pulling off a win against their arch rivals of the past CH and FC, and this is their fourth win of the season. They started the season with a change in the coaching brining Imthie Marikar one of the best in the local scene. A little bit brushing up and co-ordination with the forwards and backs is bound to make a huge difference in the 2nd round, they have got 25 points.

Army Sports Club - Led by Rohitha Rajapaksa were able to beat Hambantota Sharks Sports Club with some good rugby. They are the ones who beat the best team this season but have not won many games thereafter. The rugby at Army S.C. at present is good hands, they should rally round in the second round of the league and earn more victories to ensure their dominance in this game, they are with 23 points.

Hambanthaota Sharks S.C. - Are just two years old in the field of rugby and are led by Janith Jayasooriya. They have won just one game this season against the CH and FC, and have a very young set of players and if they are guided in the proper manner, they are sure to do well. This club must be boosted up by the parent body to be a better contendent in the future, they have 11 points.

CH and FC - Are led by Radesha Senaviratne who lost their last game to CR and FC and have one more game against the table leaders Kandy Sports Club on the 3rd. This club started the season on a low note and gradually progressed to earn respect in the last few games. The Management must get better organized and bring about more enthusiasm among the players so that they can to perform better in the 2nd round, but there is rumours to say they want to keep off from the second round, they have 9 points.

Air Force S.C. - Led by Prasanna Soysa are giving their best. They started off with major defeats, however, having got expat players the performance in the last two games have improved and it will be interesting to witness the 2nd round game with close games in the interest of the game and spectator support, they are at the bottom with 2 points.