Kandy favourites to lift Clifford Cup

Rugby

By Shamseer Jaleel

The stage is set for an electrifying Clifford Cup final on Sunday when defending League Champions Kandy SC take on CR and FC at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

With an illustrious history in the tournament, Kandy enters the final as firm favourites, having won the prestigious title 21 times. They lost out only in 1994 and 2014. 

Remarkably, they have only failed to secure the cup on two occasions when they participated, further cementing their dominance in Sri Lankan club rugby after their rebirth since 1992.

Kick-off is at 4.00 p.m and the Stadium is expected to fill up hours before the kick-off as this is the last game this season for the rugby-crazy fans of Central Hills.

The home crowd has long been a defining factor in Kandy’s success, creating an intimidating atmosphere that has often unsettled visiting teams. CR, aware of the challenge, will need to be mentally prepared to withstand the pressure from both the opposition and the roaring fans.

Kandy’s path to the final saw them ease past Sri Lions and CH and FC, underlining their status as the team to beat. Meanwhile, CR battled through two intense encounters, overcoming defending Clifford Cup champions, Police SC in the quarter-finals before edging out Havelock SC in a gripping semi-final. 

The Reds will take confidence from their two encounters in these knockout games, but they are well aware that Kandy presents an entirely different challenge plus playing at Nittawela is a nightmare for any visiting team in front of a majority vocal home crowd.

Adding to CR’s concerns is their record against Kandy this season. In the league campaign, Kandy secured victories in both encounters, winning at Longden Place and Nittawela. 

This psychological advantage will bolster Kandy’s confidence, but CR will be determined to turn the tables when it matters most.

Kandy SC will be led by experienced campaigner Srinath Sooriyabandara, while first CR Lasindu Karunathilake will assume captaincy duties for areas in the final due to an injury to regular skipper Gemunu Chethiya. Despite the setback, CR boasts an incredibly well-balanced squad, packed with talent across all areas of the field with youth and experience.

This final will be an emotional one for Kandy’s stalwart Nigel Ratwatte, who is set to play his last club match. Alongside him, Dinal Ekanayake, Shaahid Zumri, Danushka Ranjan and Kavindu Perera have been in outstanding form, while scrum half, Heshan Jensen been omnipresent this season. 

Sooriyabandara managing the last line of defence is an advantage for the Central Hills outfit. Kandy SC play maker, Tarinda Ratwatte is injured and looks a doubtful starter. In forwards Kenula Hettiarachchi and Thilina Bandara have been outstanding.

Guiding Kandy’s campaign from the sidelines is their accomplished Head Coach Fazil Marija, whose tactical acumen has been instrumental in their dominance. Under his leadership, Kandy has displayed a seamless blend of structured rugby and flair, making them a formidable force with the support of Forwards Coach, Henry Terence with Kapila Silva managing the outfit while Tharaka Algama looking into the boys’ fitness as the trainer.

CR and FC, coached by former Sri Lanka skipper Dushanth Lewke, will rely on key players such as full back Mursheed Doray, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Chamod Muthunayake, and skipper Lasindu Karunathilake. 

They will need to produce their best performance of the season to counter Kandy’s firepower as they will miss out two of their best players, skipper, Gemunu Chetiya and Adeesha Weerathunge.

With Kandy aiming to extend their legacy and CR eager to reclaim past glory, the Clifford Cup final promises to be a thrilling contest. The Reds will need to dig deep to break Kandy’s stranglehold on the competition, while the hosts will look to assert their supremacy once again. 

As anticipation builds, fans can expect a high-intensity battle between two of Sri Lanka’s rugby powerhouses. 

Referee: Gihan Yatawara.