I remember with massive sentiment and compulsive emotions..the euphoric sensation of levitation as my club grabbed the triple. (the 7s, league Championship and Knockout Trophy.)
My immediate reaction was pure relief and the need absorb the raw energy of victory with my team ...to share the pleasure and pain of achieving the impossible.
.A crescendo of pumping endorphins saturating my vessels induced composure, particularly as this was the 2nd time we beat all contenders to the triple.
The mind was grinning from ear to ear ...the incredible achievement, a result of immense logistics, tremendous financial clout, fanatical club loyalists, phenomenal player workrate, natural talent and skills that beggared description.
Much credit to the club top brass for the support., and the rugby committee for the rock solid foundation and secure player welfare.
2019 is no different for the boys at Nittawela, Havelock park or maitland crescent.
It’s all down to survival at all costs, careful injury rehabilitation and wellness, plus vitally needed fuel to ignite muscle memory and enhance performance for the next few critical weekends.
Burning questions..can Kandy defend their league title?
Will Havelocks have power to force Kandy into submission?
Can this remarkable revival at CH stun the nation and shatter all records to win at last , ?
Pundits , experts , self appointrd social media specialists who openly challenge refs and teams of not having the basics ..or the right attitude.
They question the refs : they don’t aspire to much and consider the huge role they play in successful and consistent delivery of minimum error game that leaves us faithful fans , gasping for more and accumulated adrenaline to transform the brain and grey matter...
Of course the focus is on your captain and leader to drive the mind for more signficant and impact .
Scum time is beyond average beings ...and the forward 8 ,expected at every breskup opposite each other, and the mouth watering battle lines between all the top contenders.
Signature skills on display will be a delicious platter at the buffet ..we can marvel at the appetite and acknowledge the arrogant skill under pressure.
Only the coach who is patient under pressure will be able to marshal his team and key players to absorb the maximum, before they grind the opposing team into the turf.
Planning is all on your strengths and exploiting their weaknesses..a fact that becomes painfully obvious, as one team starts to wobble for lack of match fitness, unforced errors creeping up..and missed tackles clocking up at an alarming rate. These are huge signs to the trained eye and immediate response to up the pressure from your opponents bench.
The last quarter...a matter of strategy, endurance, fitness, skill and adrenaline available. Essentially the toughest place on the park. The mind for more now steps up ..and deliberately separating the men from the boys...enhances reaction time and anoints the strength and appetite of fitter survivor.
The game morphs into all sorts and composure for team and management....almost a surgical response under pressure...every decision essential and imperative for the anticipated results.
For CR ...Omalka and his impact yatds , has to be a value addition at right time and inside the opposing 22mn. 8f you run him into rucks and mauls in your own half..expect less work and even less tries.
Tarindu Ratwatte was the versatile ball player, mighty effective both in attack and defense....kicking intelligently for his breakaways to rip holes score tries and dominate the 2 halves.
Kavindu p captain. Rezae Raffai, Rahul De Silva, will lead CR’s challenge by example and coach Mushtaq handed the mopping up after Nilufer Ibrahim resigned last month.
To contemplate Kandy , CH.and Havelocks is a task for our experts on the big World rugby list ...to dissect and neatly map a performance indicator per half.
Kandy will be licking their battered bodies and K tape ice and balm for their bruised egos.
CH ‘did much damage in the tries scored ...the red and white sword cutting the Loins in stride , effective before they could hit the gain line.
Interesting to see if Nigel Ratwatte will control at fly half with Danu Ranjan at centre.
Thilina Wijey consistent as always available to finish with skipper Ritchie , Wilivera, Lavanga and Danush D.
Udangamuwa has been and effective weapon and massive gains ...formidable when the likes Lema Pathirana , Anthony Soy , and the beast Kalhara carve the workload up.
Coach Sean Wijey with some practical options to give the Lions plenty of confidence under lights at Havies and plenty of pressure to defend their lines against the Havies runners.
Captain Niroshan , Sandun Herath hopefully fully match fit, Dabere showing good pace on the counter and Reza with his educated boot , giving Havies a real shot at Kandys exposed passages...as CH did last Sunday with 33 points ...
The maitland machine has a grudge return vs Army ...and a bonus win is the dictate from coach Ronny ...pleasing to see Satya Ranatunga, Sajith Saranga, Melder,, Sasanka Ariya and Priyadarsh grinding away at the opposite pack, running at them and impact tackles to stifle effective gains.
Muthu as hungry as ever and hugely effective in attack and defense.
Yoshida hopefully fit to cause much confusion in the Havies ranks this Saturday.
Viraj Prashan getting a lot more work and discipline in the set plays. Scrum time for CH is 820kgs on the drive in 3rd gear ..an imposing sight for anyone ?
Rohita, Nishon, Herath, Gaouda having good gains and Navin off the bench is marvelous to have as options .
The most lethal Maduwantha method doing maximum damage , scoring tries, kicking effective from all.corners ..already clocked up 150points and still lots in that armory.
Sam Maduwan gets about his job in the middle with confident ease ...and is easily rated for effectiveness with the best no 10s in the game.
Sam does inspire and lines up an impressive list with the likes of Beauden Barret ,NZ... Johnny Sexton IRE ...Colin Farrel ENG..etc..
Magical weekends on the cards and huge impact pit stops till the league and super rounds are done and dusted.
Pack wise and practical.
If driving park early..
Be prepared for all conditions.
Charge up the vocals and drive the adrenaline to its capacity.
Bula bula big games and Sri islanders skills..
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