30 November 2018 10:48 pm Views - 1787
By Harsha Amarasinghe
Navy Sports Club will look to bounce back from two back to back defeats as they face basement boys Air Force in their Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match at Ratmalana today (30).
Navy involved in a couple of closely fought encounters against Havelock Sports Club and CR and FC though came out second in two thrillers.
The Sailors skipper Thilina Weerasinghe has failed to keep up his sensational form since last season thus far. The last line of Navy defence, Weerasinghe was the league’s top point’s scorer in the previous year, but it has so far been an impressive season for the place-kicker.
On the other hand, Navy still doesn’t seem to have recognised their first choice XV. Chathura
Senevirathne who left Kandy Sports Club to join Navy in order to gain more playing time, did start the last game, but was taken off in the second-half paving room for Mohamed Abzal who had started the first two games.
The Navy pack which was been their strength for many seasons, has also not been as lethal as it used to be. Obviously losing some top players like Dulanjana Wijesinghe doesn’t appear to help the cause.
Air Force meanwhile have lost all three games which would make them desperate to beat a team like Navy who although are a strong team, lacks confidence at the minute.
Gayantha Iddamalgoda is Air Force’s key playmaker and so far this season, he has not really lived up to his expectations just like their full-back Rumesh Ramdas.
However, Air Force are playing in their home grounds in Ratmalana which should encourage them to put in a better performance as they have managed to upset top teams in that stadium in the past.