Rugby: Soldiers look for another win against Air Force

The Army, who have a fifty percent success-rate, encounter the Air Force at the Racecourse ground on Sunday (17). 

Over the last couple of seasons, the Army played a bustling, bruising type of rugby. 

They haven’t discarded that, but added on some probing, penetrative play by the back division. 

Beating the CH (20-15) and the CR (24-10) in away games, made a lot of people sit up and take notice. 

The fact that they scored 19 points against the Havies in a match they finally lost, 

confirmed the general impression that the Army “was on the march”. 

Last week’s 32-18 defeat of a fighting Police team has set them up nicely for this one. 

In comparison to previous years, the soldiers have scored a lot of tries through their back division. 

This probably shows the “Nilfer Ibrahim touch”, fly half Ashan Bandara, who touched down thrice in one game, has been a regular scorer. 

Wingers Thusitha Senanayake (the captain) and Sudaraka Dikkumbura have been quite impressive. 

Centres Sanjeeva Hapugaskumbura and Maduranga have fitted in well to the attacking plan. 

Props Asoka Jayalal and Sugath Nanayakkara have proved to be quite a handful. 

Manoj Silva, the number eight, will be another stumbling-block to the Airmen if he has recovered from injury. Nanayakkara, in particular, has been among the try-scorers in almost every game. 

Some impressive performances by the Soldiers have given them the momentum going into this important game. 

If the soldiers are successful, they could lay claim to a spot in the top four. This, in itself, is an achievement they could be proud of. 

The Airmen have been a touch disappointing, losing five of the six games they have played. 

The compensatory factor is that, even in defeat, they scored heavily. 

They lost to the Havies (23-46) and to the CH, a week ago, (31-43). 

Fly half Gayantha Iddamalgoda likes to send the ball down the line, most times. 

Last year’s Antonian Jehan Seelagama and Pabasara Hewage are bent on attack. 

Wingers Ishara Madushan, Pathmasanka Weerasinghe and the experienced 

Charith Seneviratne make up the rest of the back division. 

Seneviratne had a terrific game against the CH, accounting for 18 of his teams 31 points. 

Full back Rumesh Ramdas collects well, and is always eager to go forward. Flanker Radeesha Seneviratne and Dinesh Weeraratne, the number eight, are two other players who have served their team well.

Saram half Isuru Jayaratne hits it off well with his fly half. 

The Air Force are a bunch of triers who will give as good as they get. 

However, it would be a bit of a surprise if they are able to mow down the Army.