Could the Sailors keep their heads above water
No quarter is asked and none given especially when two of these service teams meet. Today’s game between the Army and the Navy at Havelock Park has all the trappings of a tough, unyielding clash. Going into it, the Navy probably has the edge mentally after a stunning win over a strong CH and FC team. By contrast the Army did fight it out but had to concede defeat (17-24) to the CR.
Going back a little further to the opening week of this year’s league tournament, the Navy fashioned a 20-14 win over the soldiers. No run away wins when these two teams oppose each other, only close wins.
Both teams had 4 wins, 3 losses record at the end of round one. That represented a kind of break-through for the Army who has hitherto occupied a place in the lower reaches of the points table. For the Navy, however that was a tad disappointing as they had in recent times invariably been in the top three.
One gets the impression when looking at the teams that the Navy has done a bit of planning and scheming. The Army plays with more heart and passion.
The soldiers have suffered a major blow as Rizvi, their scrum half, has been forced to sit out this game. Measure for measure! Navy’s promising winger Buddima Piyaratne has also suffered the same fate.
Full back Tilina Weerasinghe has been a match-winner for the sailors by getting the points that matter Fly half Mohammed Abzal and centre Mushin Faleel have stood out for their team. Winger Supun Dilshan has also shown his paces.
It goes without saying that the Navy pack has been a very formidable unit. Their engine room, as it were – skipper Dhanushka Perera leads from the front and is usually in the thick of things. Flanker Adeesha Weeratunga from the Isipathana stable, has shown plenty of promise. Lock Sithum Peiris and hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe contribute to the overall strength of the team.
Army’s coach Nilfer Ibrahim has had a pleasant surprise for his team’s supporters. Over the last few years the Army played predominantly with their forwards. Prop Asoka Jayalal and number eight Manoj Silva typified their rugged approach. Sugath Nanayakkara, a prop has made try-scoring a habit.
Fly half Ashan Bandara represents the new approach –not overuse to running with the ball, he even scored three tries in one game. The Army has an improved back division with the likes of skipper Thusitha Senanayake and Sudanka Dikkumbura on the wings and Maduranga and Bulathsinhala as centres.
The soldiers have a potential match-winner in full back Gayan Salinda. Safe in his collection and good in his kicking, the lanky player has come to stay as the number 15.
Prediction is a bit difficult in a game featuring these two teams. However one expects the Sailors to keep their heads above water at the end of it.