Can Navy stop a galloping Kandy?

by Hafiz Marikar

A packed house is expected to witness Kandy take on Navy in the last first round Dialog league rugby match at Nittawela today.

Kandy with six wins and the only unbeaten team in the League go out as favourites.

For today's game the reigning champions Kandy Sports Club have made a few changes to their team from the side that played against Havelocks last week while Irshad Cader is expected to referee the match with Anura Rankothge and Aslea Niyadagala as the two assistant referees.

Rugby pundits of Kandy after seeing last Saturday's game against Havelocks have already predicted a cakewalk for the Nittawela club which is packed with the best players.

But Navy are in no way expected to go down without a fight. They are expected to field their best players for the match although on paper the contest may look one-sided.

What has made Kandy a special team this season is that they are a cut above the rest when it comes to doing the basics and no player is left behind on this factor.

Their collective running and passing has been according to the script while their defence gives very little for the opponents to exploit.

Kandy skipper Fazil Marija who has proved to be an inspiring leader and fearless fighter, will look up to his speedy three-quarters to use the good ball that comes their way.

Scrum half Roshan Weeraratne is quick in spotting the gaps and working the 'threes' whenever the occasion arises. Their forwards are a fighting lot with experienced players who can guarantee winning possession..

Navy will move into the match as probably the second best team in the League. They beat CR and FC last week and have the potential to put up a fight today.

They possess a well balanced team for the occasion.

Kandy Sports Club squad: Fazil Marija (captain), Roshan Weeraratne, Gayan Weeraratne, Kishore Jehan, Gayan Jayawardena, Asitha Ratnayake, Damitha Dissanayake, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Dansha Dayan, Anuruddha Wilwara, Pumal Manchanayake, Uchitha Jayasuriya, Lasitha Maduranga, Thilina Wijesinghe, Tharindu Chanaka, Richard Dharmapala, Heshan Kalhara, Gayan Ratnayake, Arshad Jamaldeen, Nigel Ratwatte, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Dimithri Wijetunga, Chanaka Bandara, Lochana Girihagama, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Srinath Suriyabandara, Soyuru Anthony, Thisila Karunatilleke, Raveen de Silva, Saliya Kumara

Navy Sports Club: Kasun de Silva, Dulanjana Wijeyatunga, Sathya Ranatunga, Sajith Saranga, Supun Peiris, Dhanushka Perera (captain), Yositha Rajapaksa, Omalka Gunaratne, Suranga Pushpakumara, Dev Ananda, Saliya Handapangoda, Kosala Thisera, Lee Keegal, Dinusha Chathuranga, Thilina Weerasinghe.