Ratnam-Saunders clash vital for both teams

Bernard PERERA

SOCCER: Ratnam Sports Club last years Kit premier league runners-up who are a top of the points table took a firm grip to maintain their position when they registered a victory last weekend to increase their lead to four points over second placed Blue Star SC (25 points).

Meanwhile the last years winners Negombo Youth Sports Club is tied with Saunders SC for the third slot with 23 points each.

Saunders SC Who failed during the first stage of the championship made a strong comeback soon after entering this stage. They made few good victories which gave valuable points to move three steps forward to be on par with Negombo Club.

In the segment 'A' Bottom placed Kandy York SC and Ratnam SC to moved upward when they too came up with fine performances to register wins in round two.

Points from these victories by York SC and Renown SC also pushed back the two strong teams Police SC and SL Air Force right to the bottom of the table. If they continue to stay at these positions will definitely be pushed down to the Segment 'B' for next seasons tourney.

In Segment 'B' a change in the top position was seen when Old Bens SC ousted leaders Jupiters Sports Club from Negombo. Old bens with a victory last weekend has a slender lead of two points over Jupiters.

In this segment Matara SC and Golden Star SC from Kandy are lying behind all other teams. New Youngs SC from Wennappuwa has collected the same number of points (22) to be on par with Jupiters SC to jointly occupy the second position in this segment.

Today Negombo Youth SC is favoured to overcome Police SC at Police Park. A win here for Negombo team could bring them closer to the leaders Ratnam SC.

Meanwhile tomorrow Ratnam SC confront Saunders SC at CR & FC grounds. This game will be of vital importance to both teams. A win here for Saunders will put them very much closer to table leaders.

This weekends decisions are sure to put all top teams into a tough battle in segment 'A'. Interesting Soccer could be expected in the coming weeks as the four teams are on the look out to grab honours.

Segment A

Saturday

SL Police SC vs Negombo Youth SC at Police Park, at 3.30 p.m.

Segment B

New Youngs SC vs Golden Star SC at Albert F. Peiris stadium at 3.30 p.m.

Segment A

Sunday

Saunders SC vs Ratnam SC at CR & FC ground, at 3.30 p.m.

SL Air Force SC vs Blue Star SC at Sugathadasa stadium, at 3.30 p.m.

Renown SC vs SL Army SC at Sports Ministry ground, Reid Avenue, at 3.30 p.m.

Segment B

Kalutara Park SC vs Jupiters SC at Kalutara stadium at 3.30 p.m.

Red Sun SCX vs Old Bens SC at Weegulawatte ground, Gampola at 3.30 p.m.

Premier League points table
Segment A
Club		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Ratnam SC	12	9	2	1	33	11	29
Blue Star SC	11	8	1	2	17	15	25
Negombo Youth SC11	7	2	2	26	13	23
Saunders SC	12	7	2	3	18	8	23
SL Army SC	12	3	2	7	13	17	11
Renown SC	13	3	2	8	13	23	11
Kandy York SC	12	3	2	7	13	25	11
SL Air Force SC	13	2	4	7	13	26	10
SL Police SC	12	2	3	7	14	22	9

Segment B
 Old Bens SC	12	7	3	2	20	11	24
Jupiters SC	12	6	4	2	25	16	22
New Youngs SC	11	7	1	3	20	12	22
Red Sun SC	11	4	4	3	15	16	16
Java Lane SC	12	4	3	5	17	12	15
Kalutara Park SC11	3	2	6	14	22	11
Matara SC	11	0	6	5	14	27	6
Golden Star SC	10	1	3	6	5	14	6