Kandy favourites over Havelocks in table decider
Havies SC (probable XV) Abdulla Faiz, Ashmir Fajudeen, Janindu Fernando, Imesh Madushan, Matheesha Sarathchandra, Shenal Deelaka (Captain), Maleesha Madumewan, Lasindu Karunathilake, Vimukthi Rahula, Sandesh Jayawickrama, Ramesh Fernando, Theekshana Dassanayake, Randy Silva, Mithun Hapugoda. Kandy SC (probable XV) Lasintha Attanagoda, Damith Dissanayake, Pathum Wijesinghe, Thilina Bandara, Heshan Kalhara, Shehan Pathirana, Tharindu Chanaka, Jason Dissnayake, Roshan Weeraratne, Nigel Ratwatte, Buddima Piyarathne, Kavindu Perera, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera and Diluksha Dange.
Favourites and defending champs, Kandy SC, will scrum down with Havelock SC the only other undefeated side of the Nippon Club Rugby League 2022 for the all-important table decider which will kick-off at Nittawala from 4.15 pm.
In this year’s league at least on paper both teams look evenly matched, however rugby pundits say the team from the hill capital have the edge over the boys from Havelock Park. Of the six matches played so far, the Lions with their superior set of forwards have scored 210 points, while Havies have only managed 177 points. However, Havies can stay in the game against the Lions from their tight defense which has only conceded 78 points as against the 111 points by Kandy.
Former Trinity College skipper Tharinda Ratwatte supported by wing three quarter Buddhima Priyarathne will be the key playmakers for Kandy SC, while a lot will be expected from former Peterite, Sandesh Jayawickrama, who slots in the number 10 jersey for Havies.
In last week match Kandy SC survived an onslaught by the soldiers to scrape through 17 (2 goals, 1 penalty) – 21 (3 goals), while Havelock SC powered their way to vanquish a hapless CR&FC side 53-3, who for the entirety of the 2022 season seems to have crumbled to a shadow of their glorious past.
In the 2018/19 season, which cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Kandy SC stamp their authority yet again as they beat favourites Havelock’s SC to retain the championship for a record 20 times and prestigious Clifford Cup Knockout Tournament for the sixth consecutive year.
Today’s game will be officiated by referee Priyantha Gunaratne