Park Clubs lads looking for a win
View(s):The Havelocks-Army clash at Havelock Park, should serve as an opportunity for the Park Club to sustain their challenge for the Big Prize. The Army cannot be taken lightly. They lost to these same opponents 22-27 in the first leg. Last Saturday they were beaten by the CR&FC 19-13, but that, after a very stiff fight.
Havies and Police are set for obvious wins today, unless an upset occers
The Soldiers don’t have too many glamour players. This is probably a good thing as more team work and team spirit is then called for. Some of their players may lack the airs and finesse of their opponents. Yet what they have is abundance is ruggedness, commitment and fighting spirit.
Their leader Asoka Jayalal, the prop, plays a hard game and with his gung-ho approach, makes sure that the rest follows. He doesn’t have so much to work with. However players such as Nishantha Kobbekaduwa, Upul Abeyratne, Nalaka Maduranga and Chamara Silva show a lot of determination in their approach.
The back division is more promising. Rizvi Mohammed and Ashan Bandara pair off well. The Ariyapalas and Chandrasekera are eager to get at the opposing goal-line. Full back Gayan Salinda came off after the first half in the last game. From Army’s point of view, his presence is a must as he is also their first class kicker.
Don’t expect sophisticated, cultured rugby from the soldiers. Their forte is to grind it out and get close to the line. After that, all hell breaks loose as the Army pack takes over. Playing under lights is something that is right up their street in the case of the Havies. Their inspirational centre Dhanushka Ranjan hasn’t quite recovered. That will be sweet music to the Army ears. The two Pereira’s, Hirantha and Nishon, take care of the centre berths. Rohan Thiyagaraja, in all probability, will be one of the wingers. Skipper Sandun Herath is yet to play his best. He should get into the swing of things more, before the business end of the tournament comes around.
Rahul de Silva has had a fair work load, and he has performed impressively. Samantha Lakshan combines well with his scrum half Sudarshan Muthutantri, as always, plays his heart out and be very dangerous in close-to-the line situations. Lasindu Ishan and Sithim Pieris are expected to play in the last row.
The Havies improved on their first round effort against the Airmen (26-13) and beat them by a far more substantial margin last Saturday (38-5). This proves that the team is up to it, and it is ready to train their guns on the Army. Also coming out today are the Police and the lowly CH. 62-0 first time round in favour of the Police and an upset can certainly be ruled out.
Police’s recent form, winning over the Army (47-45) and then more significantly, beating the Navy 16-11, suggests that they have a new found confidence. Shrewd selection has a lot to do with this. Mohammed Sheriff (wherever he plays) is their dynamo. Riza Rafaideen has shown that the gap between school rugby and Club rugby is not too great to be bridged. Rehan Weerakoon reads the game well, while his link man Mohammed Abzal is very good in the loose. In the pack, Shawket Laheer and Joel Perera have been in the picture and are triers.
Summing up, CH will really be up against it. However, it will be a good experience to learn from for the young and largely untried CH team.