CR-Police clash for second spot
It may be all over bar the shouting with defending champions Kandy SC having blown away all opposition as the Dialog Rugby Club League Championship enters the penultimate weekend but Police and CR&FC have a lot to play for with the Super Round looming when they clash at Police Park today. Kick-off is scheduled at 4.15pm.
Police will be aiming to cement their second position in the league having 54 points, including 11 bonus points, one more than even runaway leaders Kandy SC who are perched at the summit with 70 points with a clean sheet of 12 victories.
The ‘blue shirts’ will be seeking to avenge their narrow 17-13 first-round defeat at the hands of CR who must be smarting from a 39-15 drubbing at the hands of Kandy in Nittawela last week.
The ‘red shirts’ who have one more win than Police who featured in a 26-all draw with Army, are lying in third position with 49 points will need to win with a bonus point and deny the Cops if they are to climb into second spot.
Police are on a roll this season with their backline being a revelation slicing holes in opposition defences with brothers Sachith Silva and Iroshan Silva being outstanding with fly half Johan Peiris willing to run the ball at every given opportunity. CR have traditionally relies on their ‘threes’ but despite having fliers in Reeza Raffaideen and the powerful centre Janidu Dilshan, skipper and number 8 Omalka Gunaratne’s over reliance on powering through with forwards have blunted their attacks.
However, CR are favourites to regain second spot having a game in hand against CH&FC while Police will be up against Kandy SC in their final match next week.