The CH and FC with a combination of youth and experience, will look to regain their glory days when they compete in the 2022/23 SLR Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament.
After losing their opening fixture of the tournament against Air Force SC (22-30), CH and FC bounced back magnificently to trounce Navy SC 34-20 in the second outing at Ratmalana last week.
The team from Maitland Crescent, were a dominant force in domestic rugby during the 1980’s and 1990’s where they produced some champion teams and outstanding players, who went on to represent the country at the highest level. The CH and FC last won the league title way back in 2000 and this time they are more determined to make amends and to make a lasting impression during the current season.
Last season, they had to settle for third place in the league behind the champions Kandy SC and Havelock SC after recording four wins out of their eight outings. The CH and FC, of course, suffered three early defeats at the hands of Kandy SC (3-39), CR and FC (22-27) and Havelock SC (17-20) respectively before they recovered to beat Navy SC (28-22), Army SC (33-23), Air Force SC (22-15) and Police SC (25-22) in successive outings.
This year CH and FC will be led by Prasath Madushanka, and he will have few senior players of the calibre of Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Janidu Dilshan, Avishka Lee, Avantha Lee, Yositha Rajapaksa and Rohitha Rajapaksa. In addition, they have some exciting young talent in the form of Soorya Dodangoda, Venura Kodagoda and Malith Mihisara, who were all members of the league and knock-out champion Isipathana College Under-20 Rugby Team.
In fact, Dodangoda was in the act immediately as he joined the try scorers with a splendid effort in the previous game against Navy SC.
The CH and FC Rugby Squad for 2022/23
Prop forwards: Shehan Silva, Malinga Shehan, Mohamod Akeel, Nisal Chamuditha and Dushmantha Priyadarshana.
Hooker: Prasath Madushanka (Captain) and Venura Kodagoda.
Second row forwards: Soorya Dodangoda and Yohan Fernando.
Flankers: Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Nilanka Dassanayake, Vishwa Kiriella, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Hirun Gunaratne, Chathuka Wijesekera and Chethiya De Zoysa.
Number Eight: Danushka Malith.
Scrum half: Avishka Lee, Malishka Perera, Sandun Gunawardana and Thanuja Dilshan.
Fly half: Rohitha Rajapaksa and Hirusha Sampath.
Centres: Deron de Silva, Ishara Liyanage, Janidu Dilshan and Johann Ogbebor.
Wingers: Maleesha Thirangama, Sammika Madushan, Malith Mihisara, Ovin Hettiarachchi and Chamath Kilan.
Full back: Avantha Lee.
Coach: Asanga Rodrigo.
Assistant Coach: Dhanushka Boteju.
Upcoming fixtures (first-round):
December 30: CH and FC v Army SC at Race course Grounds.
January 7: CH and FC v CR and FC at Race course Grounds.
January 14: CH and FC v Havelock SC at Race course Grounds.
January 21: CH and FC v Kandy SC at Race course Grounds.
January 28: CH and FC v Police SC at Police Park.