Rugby: Airmen host Soldiers at Ratmalana

The Air Force entertain another service arm, the Army, in a Dialog Rugby League match at Ratmalana on Sunday (18). 

The Air Force tried conclusions with Kandy SC and expectedly, came off second best. 

However, they were not disgraced. 

To their credit, early in the second half, the teams were tied at 14-all. 

The Air Force attacked through a combination of forwards and backs. 

They have a couple of tall, rugged players in the back division. 

Jehan Seelagama is one. 

Their Fijian number eight Ratuva Kausoo is quite a massive presence. 

The glue that binds the Air Force team is former skipper Gayantha Iddamalgoda. 

Equally adept at playing fly half or scrum half, he is a player who is constantly probing for openings. 

His goal-kicking ability makes him the stand out player in the team. 

In the back division, centre Soorya Krishan, who was able to touchdown against Kandy, and full back Rumesh Ramdas have sufficient skill and experience. 

Ishara Madushan and Pabasara Hewage show up prominently. 

Prop Ranuka Medagedera and number eight Saraka Werella are the pick of the forwards. 

One got the impression that Air Force's foreign player was holding himself back a bit. 

He simply can't do that against Kandy. 

The Army flattered to deceive last season. 

They performed well early on and raised hopes. 

Ultimately, they ended up in the bottom four. 

It is difficult to gauge the talent of their foreign players Ualuva and Boila. 

Judgment will have to be suspended. 

Last weekend they lost to one of the better teams – the Havies, by an 11-point margin. 

The Soldiers are not short of fighting spirit the skipper of 2016/17, Asoka Jayalal, typified guts and coverage. 

The others should follow his example. 

Led by flanker Upul Abeyratne, the Soldiers are hoping to play attacking, open rugby. 

Fly half Ashan Bandara generally catches the eye with his breaks. 

He is well fed by his linkman, Mohamed Rizvi, centres Sameera Bulathsingalage and Kasun Maduranga keep probing for the gaps. 

Winger Manoj Bandara can finish off the moves well. 

Fullback Gayan Salinda, a tall and lanky player, fields the ball well and endevours to go forward. 

He can kick the ball a long way. 

The Army should have self-belief. 

They are not asked to climb a mountain. 

The Airmen are more or less up their street. 

Last year, the Soldiers beat the Airmen 33-32 in the first round. 

But, the latter derailed the Army's campaign with a stunning 33-10 win. 

It's a tossup, but the Airmen could come through purely because of have advantage.