by Hafiz Marikar in Kandy
The confident Kandy SC team after their 33-12 rout of CR and FC in the semi-final will be determined to retain the Clifford Cup when they meet the Army in the final of the "Caltex Havoline Energy" Clifford Cup final, at Nittawella today.

The big question is who is going to beat whom? Kandy SC who won the Clifford Cup for the first time in 1992 have been winning the cup in and out, while the Army first won the cup in 1973, when they shared the cup with the police. In 1975 they won it for the second time.

In today’s final Army have the power and potential to disrupt Kandy SC. This was evident in the efficient manner in which the Army forwards and backs combined to edgeout the league champions CH and FC in the semifinals.

The Army’s back row of trio H. Karunaratne, Collin Rodrigo and B. M. Darmapala would be expected to carry out their plan of attack. However Kandy’s Number 8 Malith Silva, too may be difficult to contain with flankers Kapila Silva and Sanjeewa Bogahawatha giving him support.

Kandy who won the triple last season will certainly go out favourites as they are playing on their home ground. But none of these reasons is likely to upset the soldiers, who have not won the Clifford Cup for the last 25 years.

Kandy SC, of course have been used to winning the cup and will take it in their stride.

Kandy Sports Club - Kumar Dias Desinghe, Mohamed Bukah, Jeewa Galgamuwa, Asoka Jayasena, Chaminda Yapa, Kapila Silva, Sanjeewa Bogahawatte, Jagath Pushpakumara and Sajith Mallikarachchi, Indrajith Bandaranayake (Capt.) D. Widanage, Sameera Silva, Radika Hettiarachchi, and Nalaka Weerakody.

Army Sports Club - S. Jayatilake, R. Rajapakse, S. K. Udayakumara, J. M. Jayasuriya, R. S. Fernando, Herathge Karunarathne, Collin Rodrigo, B. M. Darmapala, P. G. Wijesinghe, and Ajith Peries (Capt.), K. W. Vijitha, Kapila Knewlton, Vajira Jayatilake, Nimal Wijasiri, R. T. A. Silva.

Referee - Dilroy Fernando.

Touch Judges - Roshan Deen, N. Jamaldeen.

What our readers forecast

• Ajmal (B) a student of Trinity College is a Kandy SC supporter and says that Army can’t get the better of Kandy. A keen rugger fan, he considers Asoka Jayasena as the best player in club rugby. He says nothing can stop Kandy from winning.

• Harshad (20) is from Colombo, and says Army have it in them to win the Clifford Cup for the third time, after 25 years. They have come a long way, and they were the first to beat Kandy this season in the league. Army will win, because they have a fine pack.