By Ravi Nagahawatte
Reigning champions CR and FC will go all out to retain the Carlsberg Under 24 Rugby Trophy when they confront Kandy Sports Club in the final at Longden Place this evening.

Led by burly prop forward Harin Gabriel, the "Red Shirts" have obtained the services of many outstanding school boy ruggerites who shone for their respective academic institutions this year. They are Duminda Pulukkuttiarachchi, Dinesh Fernando, Rahim, Samsudeen - all of Wesley - along with Ruchira Fernando (S. Thomas') and Duminda Pushpakumara (Isipatana). The team also includes seasoned A Division players in the calibre of Rushdie Faiz, Nalin Wijegunawardana, Sajith Mallikarachchi and Ajantha Cooray. The team beat Old Patanians 21 - 9 and arch-rivals CH and FC 14-11 before booking their berth in the finals.

Kandy SC see themselves in the final after a hectic tussle against Havelocks, whom they beat 20-16 in the semi finals. Number eight Malith Silva leads the side which is packed with nine Division One players.

Winger Radeeka Hettiarachchi could be among tries today having had a grand tournament where he scored on all the "outings".

Kandy recorded victories over Tristar 15-0, Old Zahirians Sports Club 57-5 and Havelocks on their way to the finals.

The teams

Kandy Sports Club - C. Hewawasam, M. Buksh, J. Galagamuwa, S. Amarasinghe, P. Basnayake, M. Silva, S. Bogahawatte, C. Yapa, N. Ibrahim, J. Pushpakumara, R. Hettiarachchi, A. Sarjahan, L. Ediriweera, S. Silva, S. Kodithuwakku.

CR and FC team from H. Gabriel, D. Pushpakumara, D. Pullukkuttiarachchi, D. Fernando, A. Majeed, R. Samsudeen, K. Silva, N. Wijegunawardana, E. Fernando, S. Mallikarachchi, A Peiris, A. Cooray, H. Manan or Ruchira Fernando, N. B. Ekanayake, R. Faiz.

Referee - Aruna Jayasekara.