A blockbuster in the offing
Competition is usually at its keenest, and fiercest, when two service teams meet. This will be uppermost in the minds of the Navy and Army teams when they step onto the Race Course Grounds this evening in the fourth quarter-final of the Dialog Clifford Cup Knockout Championship.
The Navy has a score to settle with the Army. They beat the Soldiers by a single point (25-24) in the first leg of the League tournament. What followed was scarcely believable as the Army turned tables on them (30-17) in the second match of the League. A win for either team would settle the issue at least as for as this season goes.
The Army’s performance against the Airmen last weekend was disappointing. To be sure, there were flashes of fiery play by Manoj Silva’s team that forced their opponents to scurry back in defence. By the same token, they looked a bit confused and inept when skipper Gayantha Iddamalgoda’s men played some delightful running rugby late in the game.
It is an open secret that the Army’s strength lies in their powerful forwards. Asoka Jayalal did not play in the last game and the team lost something thereby. Yet, skipper Silva, flanker Abeyratne, locks Kobbekaduwe and Maduranga and tight head prop Sampath Rosa performed manfully.
The back division has yet to come up to scratch centre Victor Pradeep was responsible for one of those rarities – a try by a three quarter!
If both units combine, the Army could certainly achieve better results. They had one win in the first round of the league, but upped the tally to three in the second. Perhaps, they lack the confidence that comes from winning consistently.
For a team that triumphed in six of their seven games in the first round (a win over Kandy SC, to boot), the Sailors under-achieved in the second round. They lost to Kandy and the Havies, something that is excusable yet their loss to the Army was a bit inexplicable.
The Navy boasts of one of the best packs in the clubs. Hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe constantly gets his name on the score’s sheet. Tireless forwards such as Sajith Saranga, Chatina Dilshan, Dhanushka Perera and Stephen Gregory are usually called upon to perform a heavy workload. For the most part, they have answered the call. The halves combination of Maduranga and Chandimal has worked well. Centres Lee Keegel and Lahiru Herath have done their part. Over the last couple of games, the prolific Keegel has been kept in check. Dinusha Fernando has, generally, stepped up to the plate.
Obviously, the Navy would do better if they had the services of the talented Piyaratne who was injured some weeks ago. Full back Tilina Weerasinghe continues to amaze by his efficient performance in converting. It is doubtful if he has had a bad game.
The Navy, in all probability, still carry the scores of that shattering 22-50 defeat by Kandy at Nittawela. They should have snapped out of it by now. They are a very good side and if they had sustained their challenge for the league title a little longer, it would have been a fascinating three-way tussle.
Rugby background is important. In that respect, the Navy players are ahead of their counterparts. The Army is not fazed. They play from their hearts. A few successes cannot be begrudged.