A scrimmage worth a thousand peeks

Given the grievous pre- season losses suffered by the club, the fact that after five rounds of matches the Havelocks are in contention with Kandy SC for the top spot is, in a sense, a tribute to the spirit in the club and the fighting qualities of the players. It is also a vindication of the guiding hand of the experienced Sanath Martis.

All that will be put to the test when the Havies go toe to toe with Kandy's Champions at Nittawela today. Both teams have five wins each, and victory in this crucial game could possibly clear the way for the top spot in the league.

The Havelock Park Club seemed to be feeling they way through early on. Their second game against the CH couldn't have been closer (30-29). Police seemed to be hunting them down when they led Havelocks 19-0 at halftime. But Police lost the plot thereafter and were beaten 26-31. Another team in the Big League - the CR & FC - was systematically dismantled (31-22) in the precursor to the Big Game.

There seems to be some method in the 'madness' surrounding the Havelocks. They have shown an ability to pull out all stops when up against it. Despite the exodus, they have plenty of talent at their command. Props Dushmantha Priyadarshana and Liston Flatney accounted for three tries against the CR. Hooker Azmir Fajudeen is approaching his heady days in the Blue and Gold Jersey. Sharo Fernando plays it very hard but tends to get sin-binned. The number eight Lasindu Ishan has proved himself a doughty character.

Mithun Hapugoda started off by occupying the scrum half's berth. Latterly, Vimukthi Rahula has got the nod to pair off with Niroshan Fernando, the skipper. The latter specializes in kicking deep and long. He also favours the little chip over the heads of the approaching players.

The Havelocks three quarters are a promising lot. They may lack the dash and skill of their Kandy SC counterparts. But they hold out a potent threat. Winger Chamara Dabare touched down twice against the CR. Most impressive was the performance of youngster Dinuk Amerasinghe, the former Anthonian. He is a player bristling with aggression and one who has no qualms about taking the defence head on. His rapid rise to the National Seven Squad shows all that.

Reza Mubarak, in the last line of defence, has collected safely and kicked well. All that will be needed today.

There is a school of thought that the rugger played by Kandy SC falls short of the standard displayed in the 1990s. A national player of that era bemoans the lack of coordination. Whatever the detractors say, the Kandy team has despatched every team put before them. The critic was probably right as there is a general feeling that the standard of club rugby today is not what it was in the past.

The Kandy team started off indifferently by beating the Air Force (the last team in the current league) by their lowest margin of victory - nine points. They have built up from there, and last week's 38-22 win against a strong CR side shows that they are now hitting their straps.

The formidable Shehan Pathirana and Buwaneka Udangamuwe, together with Yaqoob Ali, are the leading figures in the pack. Whenever Kandy wants a 'hit', they turn to the powerfully built Heshan Kalhara.

Arshad Jamaldeen, who played in the number ten Jersey, probably lacks a bit of what Nigel Ratwatte brings to the table. Richard Dharmapala was more his usual self and together with Danushka Ranjan, posed a real threat whenever they are with the ball. Out on the wings they have two more Sri Lanka players in Vishwamitra Jayasinghe and Danush Dayan.

Adding to this heady cocktail of talent and skill is full back Thilina Wijesinghe who has not done much wrong, either in defence or in attack.

Put aside prediction. Sit back and enjoy what could be a fantastic game between two of Sri Lanka's best teams.