This Valentine’s Day Longden Place is the place to be if you are a rugby fanatic as the island nation’s most looked forward to rugby encounter, the Kandy-CR rivalry will come to life yet again under the lights with an electric atmosphere promised for the fans.
We are at the penultimate weekend of Sri Lanka’s Inter Club Rugby League where the much anticipated Grand Final Playoff of the cup segment will be decided. Kandy SC, the defending champions have already booked their spot in the finals whilst CR&FC and CH&FC fighting for a spot in the all-important finale. According to the format of the competition this year, the team finishing at No.1 at the end of this week’s fixtures will have the upper hand as they get to host the Grand Final Playoff.
Cup segment
14 February CR&FC vs. Kandy at Longden Place: 6 p.m. this Saturday (14) promises to be a clash of the titans in the ever famous Colombo-Kandy classic rivalry. Kandy needs just a draw to seal and prepare their home grounds at Nittawela for the Grand Finale, whilst CR needs a win to book a home final at Longden Place. If the game ends in a draw CR will get through and play the final in the hills.
Last meeting: CR won 25-25 at Nittawela
15 February CH&FC vs. Havelocks at Racecourse: The Gymkhana Club will have one last roll of the dice to book a spot in the finals against Kandy if they beat Havies with a 4-try bonus point and hope CR succumb to Kandy on Saturday night without 4-tries and a losing-bonus point. Havies will play for pride to clinch the 3rd spot in what happens to be ex-skipper Azmir Fajudeen’s 100th game for the Park Club.
Last meeting: Havies won 39-05
Plate segment – All matches at 4 p.m.
13 February Air Force vs. Police at Ratmalana: In a dress rehearsal for the Plate Finals the tops two teams in the segment are set to battle each other and Airmen will have the unique opportunity to play back to back in their home turf as they have a clear-cut advantage in the points table.
Last meeting: Air Force won 26-17
14 February Navy vs. Army at Welisara: The battle for the wooden spoon has never been this competitive in ages as the two bottom seed teams play for glory in a last gasp effort to salvage pride. Navy looks slightly threatening after their newly found rhythm in the latter stages, however the game tips to be a 50/50 clash.
