Siri Lions reduced to whipping boys: CR’s cements top slot with rousing Kandy triumph

• Havies, CH and Air Force in dead heat for super-round

CR and FC threw open the Maliban Inter-Club League rugby title race with a rousing 25-20 win over defending champions Kandy SC, denting the latter’s hitherto unbeaten record at Nittawela on Sunday (11).

The team from Longden Place in the process further cemented their hold at the top of the points table following the conclusion of the seventh week of matches.

The red shirts led by loose forward Lasindu Karunathilaka find themselves top of the pile having won six, with one loss to traditional foes CH and FC for 36 total points and with a points differential of 171.

The team trained by Dushanth Lewke also became the first club team to breach fortress Nittawela in over 24-months with their now-stirring triumph under atrocious weather conditions.

And on current form CR and FC who are making a valiant effort to regain the League title for the first time since Suhiru Anthony’s men scaled the summit of local rugby two years ago, will be the team to beat ahead of the decisive super-round due to kick off in a fortnight.

The reigning champions Kandy SC are currently in second place with 29 total points having played six, winning four, drawing one and dropping one, and following this stunning reverse will have their work cut out to retain the League Trophy come the second-round. 

The Fazil Marija-coached outfit will face CR, Havelocks SC and CH in Colombo during the super-round, and the team from the hill capital are likely to face the ultimate test of their credentials.

Both CR and Kandy are currently neck and neck in terms of tries scored having dumped 44 each, but the points deferential of 171 to 159 separates them in the leader board.

Meanwhile, a three-cornered battle is brewing between Havies, CH and Air Force to qualify for the super round, and the clashes involving this trio during the coming weeks will make for exciting viewing for the rugby public.

Of the three sides Havies, CH and Air Force, two are likely to join CR and Kandy for the super-round while the other team is set to be demoted to the Plate. 

However, the fate of Army, Police and Navy have been pretty much sealed in the Plate segment, while winless Siri Lions, are already proving to be club rugby’s also-rans and duly assured of being shutout of the Plate Championship.  

Source - The Morning