Well-drilled Havies out for glory

The Havelock SC outfit (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

Havelock Sports Club, who came close to winning the inter-club league rugby tournament last year, will certainly start off the upcoming season as one of the favourites. 
The Park Club will get the season underway when they take on Navy Sports Club in the opening game at Havelock Park on November 14. 
Havies head coach Saliya Kumara believes that his team is well-drilled to perform consistently in the coming season. 
“This is my third season here, and we have more or less the same squad from the last two years, and I think the players have got used to my coaching style. Last year we became runners-up, and obviously this season we would like to win the league title,” the former Sri Lanka back division player told the Daily Mirror. 
The Park Club has appointed fly-half Sandesh Jayawickrama as their captain for the season, while Janidu Fernando is set to be his deputy. Meanwhile, they have brought in the experienced coach Anuranga Walpola into their coaching staff.
“Anuranga is one of the most senior coaches in Sri Lanka, and he has joined us to be our forwards coach. We already have a very experienced forward pack, and I am sure with Anuranga’s experience we’d see the best of them this season,” the former Kandy SC legend stated. 
Despite losing their most senior forward, Senal Deelaka, and former Thomian Christian Delilie alongside Chethana Jayaratne and Nisala Jayaweera, the Havies have signed S. Nisal and Udesh Madushanka from CH & FC, while they have also sealed the exciting young prospect Yehan Bulathsinhalage, who recently went on to play for Sri Lanka in 7s.
Havies, who have always given young rugby players the chance to develop their game, have also recruited a few school leavers, including Isipathana skipper Thinethra Dodangoda, Yohan Kingston (St. Anthony’s), Sithil Perera and Deshan Senaratne (S. Thomas) and Aditya Rathnayake (Sri Sumangala). 
The head coach also revealed that the Park Club had a four-month preparation in the build-up for the league tournament. 
“We had a four-month plan for our off-season as well as preseason, during which we identified our weaknesses and worked on them. Players also had some coaching camps, and then we played some friendly games. I believe the team is well prepared for that opening game,” he said.