Kandy can’t afford to relax against spirited Airmen
Kandy beat Air Force comprehensively in the first round, but after some early scares
It will be the Airmen’s lot to play Kandy SC for starters when the second round of the Dialog Rugby League commences. Today, Nittawela will not exactly be buzzing with excitement as the Kandy fans expect their team to win in a canter.
The first round also started with the game between these two clubs and Kandy won 28-19 after a lack luster performance. At one point, the score stood at 21-19 and the Air Force, who had a foreign player in their ranks, could have been pardoned if they had entertained visions of a win.
The Air Force remains at the bottom of the table, a position they are not unaccustomed to. But this year’s team is slightly different. They have not been beaten out of sight. Setting aside the Navy game, the other six games were all lost by margins of mine points or less. In short, they have been competitive.
The Fijian boost was short-lived, and the team has to rely on their own resources. Two players stand out – centre Charith Seneviratne and fly half Gayantha Iddamalgoda. The former has loads of experiences in local rugby, and the team looks up to him to deliver. Iddamalgoda is delightful to watch as he is fully committed, whether it be starting a move, continuing it or falling back when needed. He also takes the kicks at goal and has been fairly successful.
The back line has some incisive players such as the big-built, former Anthonian Jehan Seelogama, the nuggety centre Soorya Krishan and winger Ishara Madushan. Ramadas Rumesh, at full back, has been very safe in his collection and has not been averse to starting moves from the back.
Skipper Lahiru Udayanga, together with tight head prop Ranuka Medagedara, number eight Saraka Werella, flanker Rumesh Wasantha and the others will have their hands full coping with Kandy’s formidable eight. If they play their part well, they could make this game an interesting one.
What can be said of Kandy, that has not been said before? They proved over the past seven weeks that they are the best in the business and, moreover, that they are a complete side which guards their successes jealously.
Skipper Richard Dharmapala, no mean player himself, has, of late, tended to play in the shadow of co-centre Danushka Ranjan. They form a lethal pair. The return of Anuruddha Wilwara gives the back line that extra speed. The other wing will see either Danush Dayan or Lavanga Perera.
Fly half Nigel Ratwatte, who pairs off with the experienced Roshan Weeraratne, has generally made the right moves. Full back Thilina Wijesinghe looms as a particular threat, given his goal-kicking ability and his piercing runs.
The twin-twosome of Buvaneka Udangamuwe and Shehan Pathirana have been instrumental in most of Kandy’s wins. The former is powerful and unstoppable. The latter is elusive, especially at close range.
Of the rest, Tharindu Chaturanga, Yaqoob Ali and Heshan Kalhara stand out as players who don’t give up and are tireless. Kandy does carry too many guns for the Air Force whose Anti-Aircraft fire will have to be spot on.