Kandy favourites to edge closer to league title

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club could edge closer to defending their league title when they take on Havelock SC in their Nippon Paint Rugby League Cup Segment match at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on Sunday (12). 

Kick-off is scheduled at 4 pm.

Havelock SC are virtually out of the running for the title, sitting third behind CR&FC in the points table. 
For CR&FC to win the title, they would need Havies to beat Kandy with a bonus point, while themselves winning their remaining two matches with bonus points.

Kandy SC, who had plenty of injury issues during the first round, with six players sidelined, have been boosted by the return of two of those players for the second-round, and their supporters will hope that is reflected in their team’s results down the final stretch. 

Kandy SC, led by Damith Dissanayake, has found ample support coming from Praveen Charles and Shanushka Abeywickrema. 

Heshan Jensan operating from the base is a vastly improved player this season pushing the experienced Srinath Sooriyabandara to the full back position.

Kandy’s three quarter-line, comprising of Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Lavanga Perera and Dinal Ekanayake, have hit peak form at the correct time of the season, creating space and constantly threatening with their ghosting moves.

Meanwhile, the Park Club will hope for a miracle at Nittawela. 

They are led by Vimukthi Rahula, supported by Azmir Fajudeen, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Mithun Hapugoda. Jayawickrema will be expected to be accurate with his kicks at goal which is vital for the Park Club to put pressure on Kandy SC. 

Havies already lost out twice to CR and once to Kandy, and will find the going tough against the defending champions who are favourites to extend their unbeaten run.

Kandy SC (probable): Malith Wijesundera, Damith Dissanayake (Capt), Praveen Charles, Thilina Bandara, Chatura Soysa, Bawantha Dharmapala, Sanushka Abeywickrema, Fawmy Wajid, Heshan Jensen, Nigel Ratwatte, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera and Srinarth Sooriyabandara
Havelock SC (probable side): Abdullah Faiz, Azmir Fajudeen, Shenuka Herath, Shehan Diaz, Nizram Mohamed, Christian de Lile, Maleesha Madumewa, Nivanka Prasad, Vimukthi Rahula (Capt), Sandesh Jayawickrema, Ramesh Fernando, Chanaka Chandimal, Iranga Ariyapala, Randika Warnapura and Mithun Hapugoda
Referee Hasantha Weranga
Assistant Referees Priyantha Gunaratne and Kelum Sandaruwan
CMO Anil Jayasinghe