Police – CR clash the pick of the matches

Two swashbuckling games are on the cards this weekend when CR and FC lock horns against Police while Havelocks will play hosts against CH and FC under lights in the second week fixtures played for the Nippon Paint Sri Lanka Rugby Major League Rugby Tournament.

On the 9 December (Saturday), Police will be take on the mighty CR at 3.45 p.m. at Police Park. After a commendable performance over Navy in their tournament opener last week, the cops are to resume from where they stopped.

According to their head coach Nilfer Ibrahim who has been instrumental in transforming the present oufit to a major force and subsequently in his second year in this capacity is very appreciative over his boys performance against Navy. Nilfer who has obtained the services of some top schoolboy ruggerites along with two former club players Hirantha Perera and Mithun Hapugoda is quite confident that his players will strive hard to gain positive results. “We are very happy that the team is gradually shaping well as a unit. Last season our strength was the forwards but this time both forwards and backs are combining well which is very good sign for Police rugby. With a mix of youth and experience, we concentrate match by match to work on the strength and weaknesses of our rival.”

“We know CR has a very formidable team which cannot be taken lightly. We are ready to give our best performance as a team to make winning our habit” said Nilfer Ibrahim. When these teams met at Clifford Cup semi finals last year, Police just went down on the brink of full time whistle with a very narrow margin.

CR on the other hand are a team brimming with confidence after their massive win over Army last week. Their coach Dushanth Lewke their “Think Tank” who has worked tirelessly to groom a strong side which will never play second fiddle to any opponent in the competition feels that still there are several areas to be developed and with the present set of players who are capable accomplishing their mission.

“Always the match against Police has been a tough one where they have given a good run. But we are confident that we can turn tables as a outfit which is improving each game. The back division has shown some great progress so far will play a pivotal role in our success along with the forwards who have equal to the task and are hunger to give away their best for the Club,” said Lewke.

On Sunday Havelocks will once again play hosts against CH and FC will is going to be a cliff hanger game under lights. New looked Havelocks side with the inclusion of youth and experience players have the edge over their rivals. After a massive win over Air Force last week they are optimistic of continuing their winning streak.

According to their coach Saliya Kumara they will be at full strength and will recall second row player Suriya Dodangoda and Ollie Lal Buckle the number eight player who came from Australia will make his debut while strengthening the forward line up. “We will retain the same starting line up with the inclusion of two players who are coming out of injury. We have executed a plan against our rivals and are confident of winning this game too,” said Saliya Kumara.

On the other hand, the former coach of Havelocks Sanath Martis who is the incumbent coach of CH is equally geared to the ask. After suffering a defeat against Kandy where his boys made an array of errors including poor ball handling is expected to bounce back gallantly.

Meanwhile, Air Force will play host to Navy at Ratmalana today while Kandy will travel to Panagoda to take on Army on Saturday.

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