Police will have to be mindful of the Maduwantha factor
View(s):It is no surprise that the CH&FC is currently occupying a position as low as number six in the table. Their opponents at the Racecourse today, the Police are in fifth position. Both have won twice, and have the same number of points. The Police have scored 25 tries and converted 12, whereas the CH has converted 11 of their 17 tries. CH’s higher conversion rate can be put down to the ‘Maduwantha factor’.
One expected the CH to go on the rampage in the second half of the Navy game when they were leading 27-5, what took place later was inexplicable as the Navy put together 21 points while the Racecourse Club added only seven. At the end there was not much to choose between the teams.
Pre-season hype was all about the CH challenging Kandy for the top spot. To say that the former has flattered to deceive wouldn’t be far off the mark. The talent is there in abundance. Yoshitha Rajapaksa is fairly inspirational. Sudarshana Muthuthantri is playing better than he was in the early matches. Nivanka Prasad is tireless and away seems to be there in support.
Sudam Sooriyarachchi combines well with his fly half Samuel Maduwantha. The former has the ability to sneak through the defense. Maduwantha can be a bit inconsistent at times. He collects his passes well and uses his boot to power the ball a long way. It has the knock of delivering drop goals when they are most needed.
Potentially, Anuradha Herath, Nishan Perera, Hirantha Perera and Naveen Henakankanamge – the back four – can serve up a dish fit for a king. The sad thing is that they have not done so as yet.
Shamly Nawaz has overseen a Police team that is sans big names, but is one that plays exiting, spirited rugby. The way they blitzed the Army to lead 27-0 at half time last week was particularly impressive. In skipper Udara Suriyapperuma, Rasith Silva, Vageesha Weerasinghe and Danushka Edirisuriya they have some tough, unyielding forwards who give as good as they get.
The Police back division is particularly potent and threatening. To see a player such as Sujan Kodituwakku streaking across the ground in search of the goal-line is a thrilling sight. He works well in tandem with winger cum full back Sachith Silva, who is in good form right now. Silva was concussed in the Army game, but should turn out today.
To sum up, the CH has a lot of aces, but they don’t seem to be coming together. On the other hand, the Police are helping each other to realize their talent. The law-enforcers are a spirited lot and it shouldn’t surprise if they sneak past the CH.