Navy - strong contender for ‘A’ division league title
By: Ranjeeva Seneviratne
The Sri Lanka Navy which enjoyed one of its best seasons in 2009 will be a strong contender for the Caltex ‘A’ division league rugby title this year.
“We will be fielding the same team which did duty for us last year in addition to several talented youngsters who joined us at the end of the season and our aim is to clinch the ‘A’ division league title this year,” said the Chairman of Navy Rugby Commodore N. K. D. Nanayakkara.
He said that Navy which had an excellent season last year by winning eight matches out of 12 to finish third in the Caltex ‘A’ division league will be once again led by dynamic flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa whose inspiring leadership helped the sailors to emerge as a force to be reckoned with last year.
Commodore Nanayakkara said that Navy has been bolstered by the presence of two Sri Lanka Youth players - Hasthika Bandaranayake (Royal) and Dushan Honnanthera (Prince of Wales) and will offer a fierce challenge to defending champions Kandy SC and the formidable CR and FC.
Suranga Swarnatilleke and Piumal Manchanayake will once again bind down in the front row with either Suneth Chaturanga or Ransith Peiris occupying the hooker’s berth. Former Sri Lanka player Manjula Ruwantilleke will be one of the lock forwards with Shehan Deen and Nuwan Bandara fighting it out for the other position.
The sailors could boast of one of the best third rows in the club rugby scene. Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa, a tireless player in the loose and a fierce tackler will be one of the flankers with ex-national player Ravi Jayasuriya facing a strong challenge from Hasthika Bandaranayake and Dushan Honnanthera for the other berth. Sturdily built Sumedha Malewana who represented Sri Lanka at the 2007 Asiad will be the number eight.
Sri Lanka Sevens player Suranga Pushpakumara will once again operate from the base of the scrum and will pair off with Samantha Lakshan (who stood out in the Carlton-Sri Lanka Sevens). The experienced duo of Chula Susantha and Dilip Methruwan will be the two centres. Ex-CH and FC player Niranjan Wickremaratne and Nuwan Hettiarachchi who is an excellent place kicker will be manning the wings with Eranda Weerakkody once again occupying the full back berth.
The sailors came up with a stupendous performance last year with two stunning wins over the mighty Kandy SC (12-11) and the star studded CR and FC (18-3) and also beat the formidable CH and FC in both matches by (18-12) and (20-14) in addition to overcoming Air Force (twice), Police and Havelocks to finish third in the Caltex ‘A’ division league.
Courtesy: http://www.dailynews.lk/ (02/02/2010)
