Defending champs looking to get even
The 2012 Clifford Cup final affords an opportunity to the defending Champions Kandy SC to get back on an even keel and to upstage their conquerors in the league segment, the Havelock.
Having been on top of the local rugby tree for almost as long as one can remember, Kandy SC’s downfall this season has been hard to take. This is not to take anything away from the Havies who certainly deserved to finish on top. Their 50 plus demolition of Kandy SC in their return game took some living down. The home team can hark back to their 20-15 win at Nittawela for inspiration. Thus an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth skirmish is very much on the cards.
It is accepted that, at times, Kandy SC has been a tad vulnerable playing away from home. But Bogambara is not all that far from their beloved environs at Nittawela. After all, it is still an ‘away venue’ for the Havies. Saliya Kumara’s team seems to have acclimatized well to their new surroundings, as is evident from their 83-5 (CR) and 53-8 (Police) demolitions. More importantly, the old faithfuls of the club who were earlier a disappointed and dejected lot must certainly have picked up the positive video from these games.
A matter of concern to Kandy SC is the injuries suffered by scrum half Roshan Weerarathne and Flanker Sashika Jayawardena in the Police game the fact that both suffered eye injuries points to something that more than ‘meets the eye’.
Fazil Marija, Kandy Play market and think tank on the field, continues his brilliance. Havies, of course, will be aware of this and make their plans accordingly. The club officials will be overjoyed by the displays of diminutive Tharindu Chanaka. The Antonian captain two summers back, Chanaka has excellent in his pet position of full back. He can also fit in as fly half if need be. He is place-kicker, too.
Another small- made Antonian Dhanushka Dyan has fitted in well on the wing. His effervescence will surely rub off on the others.
The older hands – Sean Wijesinghe, Pradeep Liyanage, Gayan Weeraratne et al will lead the Charge for the annexation of the cup.
The two Tongans who pull on the Kandy Jersey have not been cent per cent up to now. Kandy fans are hoping that they will put their best foot forward.
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