Dulanjana dropped, Fawmy makes debut

By Sandun Kodithuwakku

CR and FC have at last run out of patience with hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe as the former Wesley College front-rower has been dropped from the starting line-up ahead of their Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match against Air Force Sports Club at Longden Place, today (14).

Wijesinghe’s move from Navy Sports Club didn’t go according to plan as he had a very poor start to the season and the Red Shirts have brought in Hirantha Manamendra to the starting line-up in place of the veteran.

Meanwhile, former Zahira College player Wajid Fawmy would make his debut for CR and FC today.

However, CR and FC are yet to finalise their team for this game as some of their key players are not keeping well.

“Skipper Kavindu Perera had a toe injury and was discharged from hospital last evening while few other players are still recovering,” said Nilfer Ibrahim, Head Coach of CR and FC.

Ibrahim also said that fly half Chanaka Chandimal has been left out from the playing XV and his position would be taken by Tarinda Ratwatte.

CR and FC of course provided a tough contest to the defending champions Kandy SC before going down fighting (30-41) at the Nittawela Stadium and also lost by a whisker against Havelock SC last weekend.

In contrast, Air Force SC have lost all five matches this season.

Meanwhile, Nizam Jamaldeen, President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Society (SLRRS) said that they would not boycott this game as it is been played at Longden Place.

The SLRRS earlier decided to boycott all rugby fixtures played at the Air Force Grounds in Ratmalana involving Air Force SC after one of their officials were man handled by spectators.

“We would send Referees for this match but our decision to boycott all matches at Ratmalana involving Air Force SC would stand until a final decision is made after consultation with Sri Lanka Rugby,” said Jamaldeen.

The teams:

CR and FC (Probable): Gayan Jayasekara, Hirantha Manamendra, Charana Chamikara, Panduka Angammana, Mithila Perera, Joel Perera, Wajid Fawmy, Omalka Gunaratne, Harith Bandara and Tarinda Ratwatte, Reeza Rafaideen, Reyan Silva, Sumudu Rankothge, Randitha Warnapura, Kevin Dixon.

Air Force SC (Probable): Charles Praveen, Muditha Kasun, Yohan Perera, Thilina Bandara, Sithara Samarakoon, Gimhana Silva, Rumesh Wasantha, Saraka Werella, Nuwan Perera and Gayan Iddamalgoda, Kaushal Manupriya, Jero Dananjaya, Ramzan Amith, Pathmasanka Weerasinghe, Ramadas Rumesh.