17 January 2020 06:47 pm Views - 285
By Harsha Amarasinghe
Kandy Sports Club are set to face Havelock Sports Club in what is expected to be their toughest fixture so far in this season's Dialog Rugby League tournament, at Havelock Park tomorrow (6.30p.m).
The defending champions, having won six out of six, are sitting pretty at the top of the points table and know that a victory over Havies away from home would put them in a commanding position to land their sixth consecutive league title.
Head coach Fazil Marija has made one change to the team that recorded a fine win over CH last week as Tharindu Chathuranga has returned to the third row to join in-form Jason Dissanayake and number eight Buwaneka Udangamuwa.
This has also meant that Shehan Pathirana is moved to the second row along with Suhiru Anthony leaving Mohamed Shabeer on the bench.
Kandy has not made a single change to their red-hot backline with the likes of Nigel Ratwatte, Tarinda Ratwatte and Kavindu Perera enjoying a great season.
Danusha Dayan has made the most of his opportunities scoring three tries, playing in the absence of first choice full-back and place kicker Thilina Wijesinghe.
Havelock Sports Club who have been struggling with a few injuries are set to hand wing three quarter Naveen Henakankanamage a rare start since his transfer at the end of last season from CH and FC.
Wing three quarter Asitha Gayashan who has had a good run is said to be carrying a minor injury which will provide Henakankanamage an opportunity to take on the league leaders.
Number eight Lasindu Ishan who missed last week’s action against CR and FC with an ankle injury remains out but Senal Deelaka will feature in the third row in place of Maleesha Madumewan.
Prince Chamara who was dropped to the bench last week is expected to take his place in the full back with captain Mithun Hapugoda is expected to return to his favoured scrum-half position.
Havelock XV: Charana Chamikara, Azmir Fajudeen, Faiz Abdullah, Umesh Madushan, Ganidu Lakshan, Senal Deelaka, Shawqar Lahir, Daiyan Zabar, Mithun Hapugoda (c) and Sandesh Jayawickrama, Naveen Henakankanamage, Dinushan Ariyapala, Randy Silva, Kavindu Keshan, Prince Chama
Kandy XV: Lasitha Attanagoda, Damith Dissanayake, Ganuka Dissanayake, Suhiru Anthony, Shehan Pathirana, Tharindu Chathuranga, Jason Dissanayake, Buwaneka Udangamuwa, Roshan Weeraratne and Nigel Ratwatte (c), Buddhima Piyarathne, Tarinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera, Danush Dayan