Kandy SC’s quest to reclaim League Title begins on Saturday

The stage is set for an exciting clash in the Mastercard ‘A’ Division Inter-club League Rugby Tournament, as last year’s runners-up and this season’s only unbeaten team, Kandy Sports Club, take on Air Force Sports Club in the first match of the Super Round stage on March 1 (Saturday) at the Air Force Grounds in Ratmalana at 4 p m.

Kandy SC, with their formidable squad, have a very good chance of reclaiming the League title which they lost to CR and FC last season. They have shown their dominance throughout this season. In the first round, Kandy SC triumphed 57 -5 over Air Force at Nittawela, and they will be looking to maintain their momentum as they aim to regain their League crown.

The boys from Kandy are in excellent form. Their most recent victory—a 32-12 win over defending champions CR and FC at the Home of Rugby at Longden Place—was a morale booster. That win cemented their position as one of the toughest teams to beat this season, and the confidence from that victory will undoubtedly fuel their ambition heading into the Super Round.

As for Air Force, they will face a challenging task as they look to defend their honour. While they have shown determination throughout the season, overcoming Kandy SC will require an extraordinary performance. The Airmen will need to play their best rugby to upset the current form of Kandy and keep their hopes alive in the competition.

On the following day, March 2, CR and FC will try to bounce back from two humiliating defeats. After suffering heavy losses to Havelock Sports Club (42-53) and Kandy SC (12-32), CR and FC will take on their traditional rivals, Havelock SC, at Longden Place in a much-anticipated match for the Commander Eustace Matthysz Memorial Trophy.

Coached by Dushanth Lewke, CR and FC will be eager to put in a much better performance and redeem themselves. Their loss to Havelocks in the first round by 11 points will be fresh in their minds, and they’ll be keen to rectify their mistakes and come out on top this time. A victory would boost their chances of finishing at least as the runners-up in the League this year.

Havelock SC, who have had a strong season with only one defeat to Kandy SC (20-24), are still in contention for the League title. With their key players, the Rajaratne brothers—Jayathu and Chethana—leading the charge as the top try-scorers of the season, Havelocks will look to continue their dazzling displays. Jayathu and Chethana contributed seven tries out of eight in the first round, game and they will be key figures in their bid for the title.

 Source:Daily News