he Caltex “A” division rugby league 2008 will kick off today with CH and FC taking on Police SC at Police Park at 4.30 pm.
CH and FC had a successful season last year finishing third in the league by winning eight matches while Police ended up in sixth position with four victories.
The return of dashing Sri Lanka flanker Dilanka Wijesekara will be the biggest boost for the CH pack led by prop Jayantha Ranaweera who is captaining the side this season.
CH pack comprises of five national players Wijesekara, Ranaweera, second row Dinesh Sanjeewa, number 8 Sumedha Malawana and hooker Achala Perera and will be a formidable challenge for the Policemen.
The halves combination of scrum half Tuan Shamrock and fly half Sajith Bandara is also a strong proposition.
CH Back division that includes centres Ruchira Fernando and Rukshan Wijesinghe, wingers Niranjan Wickremaratne and Lakala Perera and Full back Milinda Jayasinghe is an able ally to the forwards. Jayasinghe who returns to the side after a lapse of two years plays full back.
“Experience is on our side. We will go all out to have a win early in the table” said skipper Ranaweera. Police who will rely on home advantage will miss their key fly half Harshana Wijeweera due to injury and his replacement will be Sudesh Disanayaka. Flanker Nilusha Fernando who is the skipper will lead their pack.
Fernando insisted that his team is in high morale. “We have done a lot of intensive training and results should be positive. Our young boys ignore big names and reputations. We will show the strength of youth to everyone this season” said Fernando.
Police pack will be boosted by Manjula Ruwantilake who shifted to Police this year having played second row for CH last season. He will play as Police number eight today.
The only new comer in action today will be Sri Lanka schools rugby player Chula Susantha who has left Kingswood and will play as Police centre combining with Priyantha Ekanayake
The match will be shown live on Channel Eye.
Teams-
CH and FC- Jayantha Ranaweera (captain), Shashika Cooray, Achala Perera, Damith Perera, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Wasaba Senarath, Dilanka Wijesekera, Sumedha Malawana, Tuan Shamrock, Sajith Bandara, Ruchira Fernando, Ruckshan Wijesinghe, Lakala Perera, Niranjan Wickramarathne and Milnda Jayasinghe.
Police- N.D.Welagedara, Thuwan Nizam, Malith Hettiarachchi, R.N.T.Acharige, W.A.P. Wilson, U.B. Gonawala, Nilusha Fernando (captain),Manjula Ruwantilake, Milinda Bandara, Sudesh Disanayake, Priyantha Ekanayake, Chula Susantha, Asith Nilanga, S.I. Hettiarachci and M.V.Jeean.
CH and FC had a successful season last year finishing third in the league by winning eight matches while Police ended up in sixth position with four victories.
The return of dashing Sri Lanka flanker Dilanka Wijesekara will be the biggest boost for the CH pack led by prop Jayantha Ranaweera who is captaining the side this season.
CH pack comprises of five national players Wijesekara, Ranaweera, second row Dinesh Sanjeewa, number 8 Sumedha Malawana and hooker Achala Perera and will be a formidable challenge for the Policemen.
The halves combination of scrum half Tuan Shamrock and fly half Sajith Bandara is also a strong proposition.
CH Back division that includes centres Ruchira Fernando and Rukshan Wijesinghe, wingers Niranjan Wickremaratne and Lakala Perera and Full back Milinda Jayasinghe is an able ally to the forwards. Jayasinghe who returns to the side after a lapse of two years plays full back.
“Experience is on our side. We will go all out to have a win early in the table” said skipper Ranaweera. Police who will rely on home advantage will miss their key fly half Harshana Wijeweera due to injury and his replacement will be Sudesh Disanayaka. Flanker Nilusha Fernando who is the skipper will lead their pack.
Fernando insisted that his team is in high morale. “We have done a lot of intensive training and results should be positive. Our young boys ignore big names and reputations. We will show the strength of youth to everyone this season” said Fernando.
Police pack will be boosted by Manjula Ruwantilake who shifted to Police this year having played second row for CH last season. He will play as Police number eight today.
The only new comer in action today will be Sri Lanka schools rugby player Chula Susantha who has left Kingswood and will play as Police centre combining with Priyantha Ekanayake
The match will be shown live on Channel Eye.
Teams-
CH and FC- Jayantha Ranaweera (captain), Shashika Cooray, Achala Perera, Damith Perera, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Wasaba Senarath, Dilanka Wijesekera, Sumedha Malawana, Tuan Shamrock, Sajith Bandara, Ruchira Fernando, Ruckshan Wijesinghe, Lakala Perera, Niranjan Wickramarathne and Milnda Jayasinghe.
Police- N.D.Welagedara, Thuwan Nizam, Malith Hettiarachchi, R.N.T.Acharige, W.A.P. Wilson, U.B. Gonawala, Nilusha Fernando (captain),Manjula Ruwantilake, Milinda Bandara, Sudesh Disanayake, Priyantha Ekanayake, Chula Susantha, Asith Nilanga, S.I. Hettiarachci and M.V.Jeean.
