Kandy should be able to beat Army this time

By Hafiz Marikar

The top team for this year's league plum _ Kandy Sports Club will be aiming to build on last weekend's victory when they take on Army Sports Club at Nittawela Grounds today (Sunday). The game begins at 4.30 when the referee blows the whistle.

Similar to football, there is a kicking and receiving team at the beginning of each half. This will be the fourth game for the two teams in the second round.

It's now been three months since Army Sports Club shocked the rugby lovers by turning over Kandy Sports Club, in the first round game at RaceCourse, so today, it is going to be the other way around.

Kandy Sports Club, this season, has made good progress in, getting as far as finishing in the second top spot, with a point less than the table leaders with one match less, table leaders are with 12 games and Kandy Sports Club have played only 11 games.

In the last game, they managed through a good set-piece, a strong, well-executed kicking game and good kick-chase, and an excellent breakdown game. Their back row are always ferociously competitive, and always prove to be tough opponents in this facet of the game against even the best back rowers, that was on show.

Some teams include classy players

Some teams include classy players, with skills and talent; they put together a game plan that can provide them the best results. That is what makes rugby such a interesting sport. The fact that different styles of play generate incredible games of rugby and often upset results. Certainly a try-run in from 75 metres is more spectacular than a try coming from a lineout drive, but ultimately both scores require a particular set of skills and execution to complete.

Anyway, with regards to today's game, I think Kandy Sports Club stand a better chance of making it in their favour. If Kandy play according to the guidance of Coach Johan Taylor, they don't seem to struggle against them that much. There is no best or most important position, rugby is a team game and a team does well when all players give off their best. A good captain is very important.

Rugby very popular

Today, over here in Sri Lanka rugby is a sport that is very popular. However, it is a sport that is rapidly increasing in interest for potential players and spectators alike. It is a very fast paced game, full of hard hits, tackles, ball-handling, and lots of running.

As far as the backs are concerned you need a solid player at fullback and you need a thinker at fly half, if you want a good game.

Army Sports Club, who went down to Havelock Sports Club in the last outing, will field their best outfit, they will be at full strength. Their asset is their mobile pack which has helped them in couple of games and will try their best to deliver the goods, together with their backs.

As for the Solders, though they are likely to lose the ball in the open play to their formidable opponents, they are expected to make up this setback by winning their own scrums and lineout's.

At present, Kandy Sports Club, have been christened the "Blue-Eyed Boys of the game".

So to live up to their image, the lads are certain to go on the rampage today, in a attempt of wining the game in the way they want.

Good crowd expected

So, today's clash is certain to draw a good rugby-loving crowd. Both teams should play fast open rugger, with both forwards and backs joining the movements. Two teams should produce a top class game of rugby. The pre-match favorites no doubt will be Kandy Sports Club.

Kandy Sports Club who are all out to regain the league tile that they gave away two years back, and they are the ones who have won the league on most number of occasions. This game is going to be a good tussle. To rugby fans all I would say is, keep an open mind on this game, past reputations and records will not count in the assessment of teams and the outcome of this match.

Players to watch:

Kandy Sports Club - It is going to be a game where they will be expecting a lot from the playmaker, flyhalf, Fazil Marija who is all out to play a vital role, with fullback Nigel Ratwatte, Chris Cloete, Anurudha Willwara, Sean Wijesinghe, Asitha Ratnayake, Roshan Weeraratne.

Army Sports Club - Ramuwai Saniwalatu, Imanka Ariyapala, Asola Jayalal, Randika Alwis, should give a good display if Army are to hold the strong opponents.

Head to head - Kandy Sports Club's who are in top form at the moment are sure to present a thrilling game of rugby. In the fist quarter of the game, Army Sports Club ruggerites are found to use their fitness.

Prediction - Kandy Sports Club are sure to run circles round the Solders and it will be interesting to see how the table leaders are going to handle the Solders'. A fine run and pass game of rugby is found to be on the card.

Kandy Sports Club:- (Team will be picked from): Diminthri Wijesinghe, Piyumal Manchanayake, Kishore Jehan, Damith Dissanayake, Uchitha Jayasuriya, Gyan Ratnayake, Sashika Jayawardene, Dinuk Perera, Sean Wijesinghe, Asitha Ratnayake, Tharindu Chathuranga, Chris Cloete, Marcel Groenewald, Roshan Weeraratne, Saliya Kumara, Fazil Marija, Arshad Jamaldeen, Damian Ratwatte, Gyan Weeraratne, Pradeep Liyanage, Buveneka Udangamuwa, Anuruddha Wilwara, Oscar Umar, Ishan Perera, Koto Pongi, Lavanga Perera, Drashana Ettipola, Nigel Ratwatte,

Army Sports Club:- (The team will be picked from): Rasika Abeyanayake, Asoka Jayalal, Lahiiru Pavithra, Randika Alwis, Sishanha Kobbekaduwa, Upul Abeyaratne, Migara Madugalle, Pio Thewani, Rizvi Mohamed, Chula Susnatha, Imanka Ariyapala, Rawmuwai Saniwaltu, Mohamed Sashan, Gaysn Sallinda, Dinesh Surnaga, Aravinda Kumarathna, Mohamed Akram, Banuka Nanayakara, Epi Cokanasiga, Wasanha Costa, Asela Wijesinghe.