Last weeks match against Havelocks was a touch disappointing due to CR not getting a decent hit out leading into what is shaping to be 2 tough matches against CH and Kandy. Our playing style last Saturday was finally almost top shelf and the team completed patterns and stuck to the game plan for the majority of the 80 minutes. Once again our defence held strong and it was good to see the team defence in the final 10 minutes as organized and strong as the first 10 minutes. The team communication and faith in their defenders inside and outside ensured our tryline was not breached. The kicking game of Rodrigo was nearly flawless and his ability to kick for position at the appropriate time is one of the key reasons we are able to attack so comfortably. Rajith is into his final 2 games before he departs to Australia for University and has been trying to score a season's worth of tries before he leaves and we hope he keeps that trend going into the next 2 matches.

CH are looming to be real opposition this weekend and the record books show that CR have not won at Maitland Place for 5 years. The team has spoken about this and have vowed for 2005 to be the starting point for change and turn that ugly record around. It just has to happen if we are to be the best team in the competition, there is no other option. The team has set a goal to win the next away game so that we are in the most comfortable position possible leading into the Kandy match next week. Kandy is 7 tries behind us and we will need to score 4 tries to unsure that they cannot overtake CR on the League table.

However we still have a very big hurdle ahead of us this Saturday and we expect the CH forwards to be the rock for them. They are fielding 5 of the 8 starting Sri Lanka forward pack and have a very good mobile backrow. This will mean our set play at scrum and lineout need to be excellent if we are to set the platform for our talented backline. The players are looking forward to the game and will be giving the CH team the respect they deserve as on paper they are a formidable outfit and unfortunately for us it is only a matter of time before they combine and turn on a classy show.

Our game plan for this week will be similar to previous weeks as it suits our style of players and we are a team who likes to run the ball and counter attack when the opportunity offers itself. The team lineup is under consideration at the moment so I can't give much insight into changes, but we do have a couple of injury concerns that may force 2 changes to our forward pack and our Physio, Norbert will have to clear them to play on Thursday evening. Once again our supporter numbers at Havelock Park were brilliant and we look forward to a large contingent of supporters making the trip down the road to CH to back the “Red Shirts” this weekend.