13 December 2023 02:09 pm Views - 171
By Shamseer Jaleel
Kandy, Dec. 13 (Daily Mirror) - Kandy SC are set to dominate the domestic rugby scene once again as they are all out to retain the SLR Inter-Club ‘A’ Division League Title for another year.
They have already got off to a flying start and have beaten the CH and FC 22-13 in their opening fixture at home and had the better of Army SC 33-14 at Panagoda last week.
This time it will be another tough task for Kandy SC as they will face stiff opposition from the CR and FC, Havelock SC and Police SC with all their second-round games likely to be played in Colombo.
Led by former Kingswoodian and national player Lavanga Perera, Kandy SC accounted for the Clifford Cup Knock-Out Championship under Maurice Joachim in 1992.
Since 1994, winning trophies became a habit for the Kandy SC Team during the last 29 years winning 23 League titles, which is a tough record to break by any club.
More than 45 players are turning out for training regularly with seniors such as Uchithra Jayasuriya, Lasith Attanagoda, Heshan Kalhara, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Tharinda Ratwatte, Oshan Perera, Dhanushka Ranjan and Nigel Ratwatte.
Sri Lanka rugby legend, Fazil Marija is the Head Coach of Kandy SC with Viraj Prashantha as the Forwards Coach.
Former Isipathana College player Kapila Silva will manage the outfit with Tharaka Algama as the Trainer, Madushanka Physiotherapist and Sanjeewa Perera as the Measure. Former Antonian Lasantha Wijesuriya continues as their Rugby Chairman.
Kandy SC, Head Coach Marija said: “We have relatively a younger set of forwards in the outfit. Further, other teams narrowed the gap with some good quality rugby.”
“We want to take one game at a time and focus on the same. Our lads are hard-working and disciplined. We are fortunate to have a good set of backs which can create opportunities rather than wait for one.”
“We need to gain maximum points including bonus points as we will be playing the majority of the second-round games away from Colombo.”