The CR and FC will look to consolidate their position when they confront arch-rivals CH and FC in a vital SLR Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament first-round match at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo on Saturday.
CR and FC are currently in second place in the latest points table while CH and FC are in fourth place after the completion of the third week of matches.
Even then, this game is all about pride and passion between two of the great rivals as they have figured in some of the most fascinating games since the inaugural encounter played between the two teams in 1923 where the side from Maitland Crescent triumphed 17-5.
In fact, for CR and FC, every game is important this season as they have just completed a historic landmark having completed 100 years of existence at Longden Place.
They started their campaign in a spectacular manner by overcoming the traditional rivals Havelock SC 23-21 at Havelock Park and nearly upset the defending champions Kandy SC before going down 11-13 at Longden Place. Last week, CR and FC cleared another tough hurdle when they defeated Police SC 36-19 after an early scare and are looking for another morale boosting victory to keep their chances alive.
In contrast, the CH and FC will take the field at the backdrop of some uncertainty as they were held to a 31-all draw by Army SC and having lost their opening encounter against Air Force SC (22-30) at Ratmalana. The CR and FC, however, will look to draw inspiration from last year’s
encounter where they defeated CH and FC 27-22 at Longden Place despite fielding a very weak side.
Army SC v Havelock SC
Havelock SC will face an acid test when they take on the giant-killers Army SC in another SLR Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament first-round fixture at Panagoda on Saturday.
The Havies are currently placed third in the points table with two wins and one defeat while the Soldiers are in fifth place with one win, one loss and one drawn encounter but they are trailing by just two points.
In fact, Havelock SC are yet to prove their true potential and have struggled throughout the season and last week too, they had some tough moments before overcoming Navy SC 22-10 at Welisara.
In contrast, Army SC will be confident and will look to produce another good performance after having held the more fancied CH and FC to a thrilling 31-all draw at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo. No doubt, the spotlight will be on two outstanding players - Sandesh Jayawickrema (Havelock SC) and Sudaraka Dikkumbura (Army SC) who have played a stellar role for their respective clubs this season.
Fly half Jayawickrema is one of the top performers of the tournament having contributed a total of 29 points through two penalties, nine conversions and one try while dynamic wing three quarter Dikkumbura is the leading try scorer so far having crossed the whitewash on four occasions.
Air Force SC v Police SC
Air Force SC will start favourites when they take on Police SC in their SLR Nippon Paint Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match at Ratmalana today. The Airmen had a very satisfying outing last week where they were able to stretch the defending champions Kandy SC to a great extent before going down 18-24 at the Nittawela Stadium.
In contrast, Police SC are currently placed at the bottom of the points table, and they are still searching for their first win after three unsuccessful attempts.
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