The Sunday Times Sports - Inter Provincial rugby decider today

Lightning will crash in Kandy today when powerhouse Central Province take on Western Province which will arguably decide the winner of the Inter Provincial Caltex sponsored rugby tournament. Both sides had contrasting fortunes in their opening games. Western Province despite playing without some of their seniors, demolished Southern Province by 85 points to nil. Central on the other hand ground out a 32 to 18 points victory over Defence Services.

However, previous matches are not a guide as the fierce rivalry between Kandy and Colombo can throw the form book out of the proverbial window. The visitors led by Flanker Pavithra Fernando will be a full strength side against their opponents. Central Province is likely to do the same. Western Province has a superb forward pack. But Central has a better backline led by Sri Lankan winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe. Obviously rugby is a 15 man game and the victor will be the side that plays cohesively and as a team. This tournament is being touted as a guideline to select the Sri Lankan side for the forthcoming Asiad. Informed sources told The Sunday Times that selectors have been absent from the first two matches. One can only hope that the relevant body takes note and views the remaining matches.