Army out to produce a better display in Rugby League
Army Sports Club, with a well-balanced outfit are determined to produce an improved performance in the 2022/23 SLR Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament.
The Soldiers have already made an early statement in the current season having defeated Police SC 25-23 in one of the most thrilling encounters played so far in the tournament.
This was no doubt a huge morale booster for Army SC, who were beaten comprehensively (8-46) by the defending champions Kandy SC in their opening fixture of the tournament in the previous week.
But they bounced back magnificently and got their act together well at the correct time to pull off a splendid victory from the jaws of defeat at Ratmalana.
The way the Soldiers turned this game in their favour was outstanding as they were trailing by a couple of points going into the dying stages of the game before Sudaraka Dikkumbura produced the match winning try in a spectacular manner.
In fact, Army SC scored four tries in this game, which was quite an achievement since they managed to touch down only once in the previous game against Kandy SC at the Nittawela Stadium.
Dynamic centre three quarter Dikkumbura is undoubtedly their standout player and had the satisfaction of penetrating the Kandy SC defence as well during their opening game of the tournament.
In addition, Army SC will have hopes on Skipper Mahesh Weerasinghe, place-kicker Dilshan Perera, Mohomad Rifan, Nalaka Maduranga and scrum half Sachin Gamage, who are all season campaigners.
Army SC are currently placed sixth in the league tournament points table with one win and one defeat, and they have a very good chance of finishing among the top four teams, if they could continue to perform in the same form.
The last time Army SC finished at the bottom of the league tournament points table, but they had the satisfaction of holding the favourites CR and FC to a 16-16 draw at Havelock Park and defeated Navy SC 18-13 at the same venue.
Army SC also produced another inspiring performance against the strong Kandy SC outfit where they went down fighting 17-21 after an exciting contest at Havelock Park.
Army SC Rugby Squad for 2022/23 season:
Prop forwards: Buddhi Srimantha, Rasika Abeynayake, Thirusha Adikaram,
Hooker: Danilsha Dissanayake, Dilshan Perera,
Second row forwards: Nalan Premarathna, Nalaka Maduranga, Kelum Warnakulasuriya,
Flankers: Chinthaka Sandaruwan, Kaveen Perera, Mohomed Rifan,
Number Eight: Dhanuka Wijethilaka,
Scrum half: Mahesh Weerasinghe (Captain), Sachin Gamage,
Fly half: Ashan Bandara,
Centres: Sudaraka Dikkumbura, Sameera Bulathsinhalage, Madushanka Chandrasekera,
Wingers: Subodha Samarakoon, Lasantha Kumara, Mohamad Akram, Kavindu Amarasiri,
Full back: Chalika Sandaruwan, Gayan Madushanka,
Head Coach: Ronnie Ibrahim
Upcoming fixtures (First-round):
December 30: Army SC v CH and FC at Racecourse Grounds.
January 7: Army SC v Havelock SC at Panagoda.
January 13: Army SC v Navy SC at Welisara.
January 22: Army SC v Air Force SC at Panagoda.
January 29: Army SC v CR and FC at Longden Place.