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Kandy SC looks to make it six-in-a-row
Defending Clifford Cup champions Kandy SC who has maintained a winning streak since 1999, are fancied to make it a six-in-a-row when they take on the gritty Havelocks, in the Clifford Cup rugby final amid overcast skies at Nittawela today. The kick off will be at 5 p.m.

This year's Clifford Cup the prestigious K.O. tournament turned out to be lack - luster affair. Teams like CH and FC pulled on principal as the out of the field happenings marred proceedings and held back the kick-off for over two weeks.

Kandy led by dusky Radhika Hettiarachchi will lead a seasoned pack which has the strength, power and weight. The reigning champions thrashed Army 51-0 in the semis. Besides some seasoned foreign players who will add fire and sparks to the back division to aid the defending champions.

Havelocks SC the first winners of the Clifford Cup when it was first offered in 1950 and retrained the 'Plum' in the following year. It's a young team with a blend of youth and experience led by Miskin Deen. The Park Club, too are fielding expatriates. They beat CR and FC 37-24 sans any foreign players, but had sweat to beat them in their own backyard.

Today, the Havelocks will have to fire all cylinders to outplay KSC, virtually a Sri Lanka team. They have a nippy three quarter line to breach the Kandy fortress. But in soggy conditions KSC with a heavy pack led by Tulaga Tavita (No. 8) should plough their way against the young and Havies 'eight' who lack the physical strength to keep their opponents at bay.

Havelocks have the guts and spirit to fight to the bitter end with Alex Taqua, Siope Kapeli and Rajiv Ganapathy who played a ferocious game in the loose against CR. Inspired by the trio the Havelocks will strive to make it a keen and hard fought contest for all to enjoy.

Mr. Kishu Gomes CEO Lanka Lubricants will be the chief guest. KSC team (from): S. Hettiaarachchi, D. Pullukuttuarachchi, A. Buksh, Malik Silva, A. Jayasena, Imran Bisthamin, Dilip Selvan, S. Wijesinghe, Pereeli Nagawe, T. Tavita Amjad Buksh. F. Mariya, R. Hettiarachchi (Capt.) Pradeep Liyanage, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Walaii Faatawa, Niranjan ranasinghe, Nilufer Ibrahim, C. Withanage, Sameera Silva, S. Mallikarachchi.

Havelocks SC (Form): Miskin Deen (Capt.) Janaka Fernando, Ruwan Suranga, S. Wanasinghe, Alex Taqa, Siope kepeli, Saliya Kumara, A. Thajudeen, L. Rodrigo, Rajiv Perera, R. Ganapathy, M. Tariq, C. Amerasinghe, S. Badurdeen, Asela Abeykoon, Lakala Perera.-BW

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