4 January 2023 01:06 pm Views - 356
By Harsha Amarasinghe and Sandun Kodithuwakku
CR & FC may have had their worst-ever season last year, but three games into the ongoing season, the Red Shirts have made themselves serious title contenders with a quality squad.
The Longdon Place club has already bagged two wins in three games, beating Police Sports Club 36-19 and Havelock Sports Club 23-21.
They came very close to beating the reigning champions Kandy Sports Club though they eventually lost 11-13 in a match many felt CR deserved to win.
From finishing nearly at the bottom to becoming serious title contender, CR has made a huge progress and head coach Dushantha Lewke has put it down to the new recruits.
"Last year we had a very inexperienced team – the main reason being it was the first season since Covid and we had lost about 26 players with some going to other clubs and some retiring from rugby. There was also no proper school season, it was very hard for us to put in a club level team, but we have been able to recruit some quality players such as Lasindu Karunathilake, Wageesha Weerasinghe and Chathura Seneviratne. Apart from that we have got a couple young players like Manilka Ruberu and Thenuka Nanayakkara coming in," Lewke told Daily Mirror.
The CR head coach, though excited for his backline, believes the real strength of the team lies with the forwards.
"CR has a balanced side but I think the strength still lies with the forwards because I think they have been doing a decent job so far. We also have the strength of two place kickers starting the games, so we counting on them to get them kicks on the goal. I think our backline should not be underestimated as well with players like Gemunu Chethiya and Murshid Zubair because if they get quality balls they will attack," added Lewke.
The former Sri Lanka captain also stated that their target is to win the league this season as CR & FC are completing 100 years.
"As we complete 100 years, I think the club is expected to win the league and we just want to take it week by week," Lewke said.
Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi