Sports
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and FC - Kandy S.C., grudge battle today Both teams have suffered defeats this season. KSC led by Radika Hettiarachchi fields a strong outfit. Their strong set of forwards is led by No. 8, Lagata, who proved the match winner in their gruelling contest against CR and FC at Nittawela recently in their first round game. Kandy, without doubt are fielding a star-studded team with the likes of Pradeep Basnayaka and Radhika Hettiarachchi who are intentional class players. Especially Hettiarachchi could play in the last line or in the wing and has tremendous power and strength be it in attack or in defence. Indrajit Bandaranayaka is still good to play in their hour of need. A sleek three quarter line, supported by the halves combination of Bucks and Mallikarachi. They play with much understanding keeps the line in motion, fullback Hettiarachchi forming the overlap. It was proved that Kandy could be beaten. Army indulging in explosive rugby at Galle Face won in a cliff-hanger 20-19. No excuses, with talented players aplenty languishing on the bench and foreigners at hand in support. Kandy has to be awake and play to a right game plan to get the better of CH, who are no pushover side. Last year CH toppled the Kandy outfit in Colombo. The Maitland Crescent Club led by hooker, Sameera Wijesinghe has bounced back to contention along with CR and FC. The team is much fitter now, than in the past. Coach Grahme Raux, has put them in their paces. The 'eight' tended to be lethargic - desired factor for CH's setbacks. The team has learnt from their past errors and are bound to bounce back in this hard fought game. Young Dushantha Lewke, who was sidelined due to injury. He, is a bundle of energy and will play his heart out. New Zealander Joseph Collins is drafted into the side. He will play as co-centre to S. Jayakody the back has the guts and weight and strength to match their tough opponents. Bertie Jayasekera a hardy second rower, wiry flanker Thalagalarchchi with No. 8 Lewke deserve attention in the loose. The line has the ability to run. It could do well, how they could probe Nalaka Weerakody (if available). Nalaka, is the Kandy S.C. playmaker with his elusive running plus his kicking prowess. The Crescent Club will play for right reasons. Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing. Rugby is just a game for all to enjoy. The irate fans, too should take note of and maintain the dignity of the game. CH
and FC plays under protest.... The insistence of the tournament committee to put off the game to July 4, he has mentioned the reasons for the postponement of the game by a day on account of Sri Lanka's tie against Thailand (W.C. qualifying match Asian Zone). The match was played on June 30 where some Kandy players who played need a rest. Several other club players too took part drawn from Army, Police, Royal College (Rajitha Jayasundera) CH, Havelocks and Navy, with the exception of CR and FC who did not have a game over the weekend. The players from these clubs had a game on Friday July 2nd, and 3rd. They adhered to the fixtures drawn months ahead and quite aware of the international contest. It's alleged that the T.C. of the Rugby Union has given preferential treatment to KSC apparently due to pressure over looking principles and fairly. If this trend is allowed, other clubs, too will demand asking for changes forward or backwards. In future my club CH and FC will refuse to play fixtures against Kandy on Sundays. As convenient to our players, who have to report to work on Mondays. After a late return on Sunday. Please make sure that any matches between CH - Kandy S.C. the club will not play on Sundays. The tournament committee has failed in their duty apparently has created a precedence where other clubs, too will demand such changes. It has also tarnished the excellent co-ordination the two clubs had in the past due to the TC's short sightedness. A former Sri Lanka player and senior rugby administrator said there is a red alert, a postponement could be given if there was a red alert or unforeseeable thing happens in the country. The fixtures are made well in advance going into the pros and cons of the international commitments. If there is a calamity or the participating team has run into a storm in their own backyard. Then it's a reasonable request. May be the time has come to re-look how rugby is run in the country by the controlling body for its future betterment. Goodwill to all, but malice to none the same. Work for the right reasons he said. |
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