CR and FC will face an acid test when they take on Police SC in the SLR Nippon Paint Clifford Cup Knock-Out Rugby Tournament first semi-final encounter at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo today.
CR and FC, who were the League runners-up, received a bye into the semi-finals and will come out for the first time in this tournament after the League champions Kandy SC and CH and FC pulled out from the competition.
In contrast, Police SC have already left a mark as they had the satisfaction of defeating the Plate Champions of the recently concluded League Tournament Air Force SC 22-17 in the quarter-final fixture played at the same venue.
The Policemen have certainly proved that they are one of the most improved teams this season and will be determined to give their best and reach the final after a lapse of eight years. This game is also important for CR and FC as they are hoping to win silverware in their Centenary Year season after having missed out the League Championship by a narrow margin. CR and FC last won the Clifford Cup way back in 2006 when the team led by Pavithra Fernando trounced their traditional rivals Havelock SC 37-5 in the final played at Longden Place.
Thereafter, CR and FC were able to reach the Clifford Cup final for three successive years from 2007 to 2009 but on all three occasions they had to be content as runners-up losing to Kandy SC at the Nittawela Stadium.
Meanwhile, Police SC are also hoping to make history as they last won the Clifford Cup way back in 1991 where they edged out CH and FC 13-11 in the final encounter.
Their 21-19 stunning win over favourites Havelock SC earlier in a League Tournament fixture was a good example of their capabilities and this match also turned out to be the turning point of their success.
Thereafter, they went on to beat CH and FC twice 27-22 in the League first round and 41-26 in the Plate Championship match followed by a close win over Army SC (15-14) before losing the decisive game to Air Force SC (5-11).
The Police SC forwards will certainly cause some major problems to the CR and FC team, who have rallied mostly with their superior back division. CR and FC, of course, won the League Tournament fixture 36-19 at Longden Place with their two place-kickers Chathura Seneviratne and Thenuka Nanayakkara playing a dominant role.
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