Vengeful Sailors aiming to spoil CH run
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For Navy and CH, it's a battle of honour
There will be much sound and fury (Hopefully, not signifying nothing!) when the CH&FC entertain the Navy at the Racecourse today in a mid-table clash.
Confidence is all when strong teams engage each other. By that token, the CH could be preening themselves on having beaten the Navy at their home base (34-26) when they last met. Their confidence could be dented by the possible loss, through injury of their outstanding forward Yoshita Rajapaksa.
Numbers-wise, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other. Both teams had three wins in the first round. The Navy got that fourth slot, while CH, with two late wins, ended up fifth. What will work in Navy’s favour is the fact that they played outstandingly well in their final game against Kandy. It was, in a sense, a travesty of justice that the Navy came off second best.
The simple fact is that Ronnie Ibrahim’s CH team has not played to potential. With a back four of Nishan Perera and Hirantha Perera, Naveen Henakankanamge and Indunil they should be running all over the opposing defenses.
The pair of Sudam Sooriyarachchi and Samuel Maduwantha is performing well. Sooriyarachchi is good in loose play and has the knack of being where the ball is. Fly half Maduwantha, on the evidence of the last match, seems to have regained his kicking form. Maduwantha also eases pressure as he can kick the ball a long way.
The CH forwards have, probably, not put up their hands and done their utmost, Henry Terrance has been a bit below par. Niwanka Prasad, a flanker, cannot be faulted as he has given the battle his all. The form of Sri Lanka’s skipper Sudarshana Muthutantri has been disappointing. A fit, eager Muthutantri will be a source of great strength to the CH.
The CH have a lot of talent in their ranks, but putting all that together seems to be the issue confronting them. They lost their first two games against the CR and the Havies by a single point. Quite possibly, deep down they doesn’t feel up to it now.
Navy skipper Thilina Weerasinghe’s kicking form seems to have deserted him. Having scored over a hundred points last season, this loss of form could be gnawing at him as well as at the team. An in-form Wanasinghe will be of tremendous value to the side.
Chatura Seneviratne, a Josephian player of two seasons ago, seems to have stopped up to the Plate as far as conversions go. Mohamed Absal and Mushin Faleel one capable backs, while Harsha Maduranga, the winger, is a good finisher. But the jewel in Navy’s crown is speedster Buddima Piyaratne. A fine sight when he is in full flow, Piyaratne carries much of his teams hopes. The other winger, Saliya Handapangoda seems to have lost a bit of his speed.
Forwards such as Kasun de Silva, Adeesha Weeratunga, Gihan Perera and Radeesha Seneviratne should contribute more. Charith Silva, was scored a fine try against Kandy, is an exception. A tough player, no situation is too bad for him.
It is difficult to predict the outcome, but if Samuel Maduwantha is at the top of his game today, CH will have a decisive edge.