Could Yoshitha’s army quell the marauding Soldiers in today’s battle
Losses don’t usually lead to confidence. But, at times, a loss is almost as good as a win. The CH&FC find themselves in this situation when they engage the Army today at Havelock Park.
If Yositha Rajapaksa had been permitted by the Kandy defence to run another five yards and touch down, the result of that game may well have been different. As it is, the CH will be a confident lot when taking on the soldiers because they met the best and only just succumbed. However, nothing can be taken for granted when you recall that the Soldiers pipped the CH in the first round game 20-15.
Avantha, a Lee twin, has performed well for CH
The CH are accustomed to playing a hard, stirring type of rugby. They have the players to do so. The very experienced Sajith Saranga, Mateesha Sarachchandra, Sasanka Ariyaratne and the elder Rajapaksa play their hearts out until the final whistle goes.
The Lee twins – Avishka at scrum half and Avantha at fullback – have added a new dimension to their attack. That explosive centre Lee Keegel is a delight to watch as he powers his way through the defence. If Keegel did not score in the last game, it wasn’t for want of trying.
Winger Hashan Maduranga was able to pierce the Kandy defence. The above-named, together with Ryan Weerakoon and ex Army player Imanga Ariyapala form a back line that is adept at both defence and attack.
If Samuel Maduwantha has got over his sorry exhibition of kicking in the Kandy game, he will be quite a handful for the Army. Talented without a doubt but mentally fragile may be the verdict on Maduwantha.
Another factor in CH’s favour is that after a dream run in the first round, the Army seems to have fallen by the Wayside. They have lost to the CR, Navy, Havies and, a little surprisingly, to the Air Force. Kandy is still to come, not a happy thought.
Probably, under the influence of their new coach, the Soldiers opened out the game much more than usual, it was players such as Manoj Silva, Asoka Jayalal and Sugath Nanayakkara who scored the bulk of the tries. This season, the back division came into play much more and was able to score quiet a few tries.
Has the ‘Nilfer Magic’ lost it’s potency? That question will surely be asked by Army supporters as the team currently has played four, lost four tag. The Army must be well aware that today’s game is not a walk in the park.
Fly half Ashan Bandara, a quiet dynamic player who touched down thrice in one game, is one of the players who can cause a change in fortune. Scrum half Mohamed Rizvi can also be a dangerous player.
The Army line may not have the big names that adorn the ranks of the elite clubs such as Kandy, CR and the Havies. Yet, they are a serviceable unit, with centre Sanjeeva Hapugaskumbura and Winger Sudaraka Dikkumbura being the pick. In the last line of defence, Gayan Salinda has done a terrific job. His collection is safe, he is prepared to run with the ball and he converts accurately most times. Summing up, the CH is certainly the better team man for man. Yet if the Army can summon up memories of rugged battles won, and make a do or die effort, this game could be interesting.