Havies eye winning start against Navy

• The Havies despite losing some key players are confident of another successful season

By Harsha Amarasinghe 

The Clifford Cup winners and Inter-Club League runners-up Havelock Sports Club would target a winning start as they face Navy Sports Club in the League Tournament curtain-raiser match at Welisara today. 

The Havies despite losing some key players are confident of another successful season with Sanath Martis back at the helm. 

“I will make a plan according to the resources I have. I am also a human being. The boys also have a capacity. So, I’ll make a plan accordingly and will see what happens,” Martis told journalist during a media conference held at the Havelock Club House yesterday. 

The veteran coach also claimed that he doesn’t recognise any clear favourites to win the title and that there is no huge gap between the teams. 

“There won’t be a big gap this time around. I think all the sides are equally good. I think it’s always a 50-50 game and the team that makes lesser mistakes will win on the day.” 
“Every team is putting their best efforts; the off-season and the pre-season. The expectations are also very high for each team,” added Martis. 
The Havies heavily relied upon the likes of Dushmantha Priyadarshana and Sharo Fernando as their packed put in a very impressive performance but Martis said their side for this season is a ‘well-balanced’ one. 

I will make a plan according to the resources I have. I am also a human being. The boys also have a capacity

Meanwhile, Navy Sports Club’s seventh-place finish last season was their worst in a decade or so, and they would be eager to get themselves off to a good start this time around. 
Scrum half Richie Dharmapala who leads them this season stated that he is hoping for the senior members of the squad to turn up for the big games and make the difference. 
“We have already got a lot of senior players such as Mushin (Faleel), Thilina (Weerasinghe), Peiris (Supun) and Radeesha (Senevirathne). So with their support I am confident of doing well this season,” said the former Science College player.

CH and FC vs Army SC   

CH and FC who are one of the top contenders for the League title this season will be up against Army Sports Club at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo today. 

CH, with a heavy pack should have the edge over Army SC as they are set to unleash some big players in the form of Sajith Saranga, Nivanka Prasad, Jason Melder, Sathya Ranatunga and Prasath Madushanka in a powerful pack.