Can CR & FC repeat their performance of last year and beat Kandy SC in the final of the Clifford Cup knock-out championship? However, it was in the League tournament that CR ended up the champions and the knock-out is a completely different psychology. The captain of CR in that League final was Suhiru Anthony who will be making his final appearance for CR today and will his presence in the team set the stage for them to finish as champions again?
The Clifford Cup has been played continuously since 1950 and has evolved in uplifting the rugby talent in the country. It has also fostered fierce rivalries among clubs such as CR, Havelocks, Kandy SC and Dimbulla-Dikoya for many years.
Kandy SC who have secured the Clifford Cup 21 times up to now, are playing very well at present and are most likely to emerge victorious over CR and clinch the Clifford Cup, in the final to be played at Nittawela today (6).
Kandy’s strength is in their back division that have helped them score more than 50 points this season. They have often scored at will with players like Tharinda Ratwatte, Shekeeb Zumri, Dinal Ekanayake Diluksha Dange, Kavindu Perera, skipper Srinath Sooriyahandara, Asiri Seneviratne and Dhammika Ranjan who have all come up with penetrative runs and ended up in crossing the line.
This could be the final game also for Nigel Ratwatte who has sounded that he will be retiring from the game this year. However, he has made a significant contribution in the latter part of the season that will make a memorable end to his career.
Besides, Kandy SC possess a strong line up in the bench as well who can come up with a sterling performance as good as their regular players on the field.
CR & FC have regained their prestige to enter the final of the knock-out competition. They won the League title last year and that too by beating Kandy SC in the final game. Can they repeat that performance this year?
CR too possess some quality forwards and former Isipathana player Omalka Gunaratne has strengthened CR’s chances this season. He was in a marauding mood in the last few games particularly against Havelocks where he scored two tries that gave them victory. CR and FC will need to step up their game if they hope to compete effectively and secure victory.
Other players who can boost CR’s chances are Venura Kottagoda, Murshid Doray, Chamod Muthunayake, Thanuka Nanayakkara, Lasindu Karunathilaka and brothers Rinesh and Randy Silva who are capable of putting up a tight defence that can stop Kandy SC from scoring tries.
