Sports

“CR and FC is one of the oldest rugby playing clubs in the country maintaining its dignity and the spirit of rugby at all levels”, said Ronnie Gunaratne, deputy president of the club while explaining about the coming season.

The Longdon Place club last season gave a heart-throbbing performance against the defending league champions Kandy SC, at Nittawela, and lost by a decimal point. Though they lost, they displayed abundant skills, passion and total commitment.

Queensland coach Grant Dywer who did a good job last season will continue as coach. The present players are professionals. Dywer has instilled in them to work hard on their own and make the year 2006 season which is a blend of youth and experience led by never-say-die Pavithra Fernando leading from the front for the third successive season.

The CR rugby committee:
Chairman Rienzie Fernando, Manager Rohan Chinthaka. Rugby brain Ajith Abeyratne, the counsellor, To add flavour there is former Sri Lanka stalwart Anton Benedict. He is working as the senior administrative secretary.

Coach Dwyer has been concentrating more on stamina and fitness to last the pace.

The squad:
Props – S. Swarnatilleke, Boteju, Shamil Mohamed, Terrence Henry (St. Joseph’s), Hookers – Viraj Prasanna, Suneth Chaturanga (Isipatana), 2nd row – Anuradha Dharmatilleke, Svantha de Saram, Anuradha Fonseka, Flankers – Ashan Kathelis, Pavithra Fernando (Capt.), Asoka Gunawardene, Imesh Wijewardena, No. 8 – S. Nawaz, A. Walpola, Half Backs – Zulki Hamid, Naufer Rahim, Fly Halves – A. Rodrigo, S. Pushpakumara, O. Sheriffdeen, Charith Kodagoda, Centres – Udaya Hettiarachchi, Achalanka Perera, Sendil Kumar, S. Mohamed, Wingers – M.J.M. Muthalif, Dinesh Kumara, R. Wakadapola, Asanka Perera, Anusha Perera, Full backs – D. Pushpakumara, Anura Priyantha.

The Red Shirts this season has scrummed down with Softlogic Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. They have offered them a lucrative sponsorship package to forge ahead.