CH and Havies in last ditch for pride

 Samuel Maduwantha will have to stand up to the occasion

By Shamseer Jaleel

CH and FC and Havelock Sports Club will battle for third position in the Inter-Club Rugby League when they lock horns at the Race Course Ground on Sunday with kick-off scheduled for 4 pm. 

With both sides out of contention the encounter shifts the spotlight to pride, momentum and strategic positioning ahead of the Clifford Cup knock-out stages. 

CH enter the contest eager to rebound after a disappointing 26–16 defeat to CR and FC in the Super Round. Despite displaying cohesive rugby earlier in the competition, the Gymkhana Club lost focus at crucial moments in that encounter, a setback that effectively ended their slim hopes of moving further in the points table.

They will now be keen to finish the league phase strongly in third position.

Havelocks too arrive with similar motivation after seeing their title aspirations extinguished by defending champions Kandy Sports Club at Havelock Park. Although overpowered on the day, the Park Club have shown champion quality throughout the season and will view this fixture as an opportunity to reassert themselves against familiar rivals. 

They lost out their leader Sandesh Jayawickrema half way down the season but did not go astray. They remained focused under their watchful head coach Saliya Kumara and their forwards were the best among the clubs with Abdullah Faiz and Azmir Fajudeen been on top. 

Much will be expected from Jayathu Rajarathna and his speed.

CH will lean heavily on the leadership of skipper Janidu Dilshan with Janith Chandimal’s reliability, Mohamed Absal’s work rate and the physical presence of Koli Thamanikalu providing balance across the park. Their ability to control territory and tempo will be key.

Thai referee Dechdanai Wongyuen will officiate what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.