Kandy and Havies march forward

Inter Club Rugby league

By Shamseer Jaleel

Both defending champions, Kandy Sports Club and table leaders so far in the current year, Havelocks Sports Club marched forward with wins setting the date for next weekend’s encounter in order to decide the title winners for this year. 

But Kandy continued their dominance at home when they grounded the Air Force in a 11-try blitz at Nittawela, securing the bonus point once again in tandem but the same did not happen for the Park Club as they missed out by scoring only three tries against their traditional rivals CR & FC.

Havelocks 31 points

CR & FC 10 points  

Havies after leading 11/10 at the short breather had a superb second half burst to down the Longdon Place club who lost their second game in a row after being defeated by the Soldiers last weekend. Both Kavindu Perera and Sashan Mohamed both played well for the CR & FC who missed out on Tharinda Ratwatte brilliance due to his injury. For the Park Club Sudam Sooriyaracchchi and Dulaj Perera played their hearts out.

Army dash Sailors’ hopes

Army SC 30 points

Navy SC 17 points

Sailors’ hopes of claiming the league were dashed when the ‘dark horse’ of the tournament, Army SC pulled off a dramatic win over the Welisara outfit. Soldiers who are going through an uneven season were unlucky to lose out on many encounters after some close calls. They deserved a better position than number 6 this season.

Police SC edge out CH

Police SC 26 points

CH & FC 21 points

Cops went through some anxious moments before beating the last placed CH & FC 26/21 in a tensed encounter. Police managed to maintain their number 7 position while the young CH & FC outfit had nothing to lose gave out their best but still ending on last position in the league.

Kandy in 11-try blitz

Kandy SC 73 points

Air Force 13 points 

Kandy Sports Club took sweet revenge on their first round defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka Air Force when they scored an easy 73/13 against the same opponents at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

It was Kandy all the way dishing out cohesive rugby both by their speedy three quarter line and the rock solid forwards both stood out both well in attack and defense. Air Force who played well in the early five minutes could not keep up to Kandy SC’s pace when they were all over in their defence. As usual the speedy three quarter line consisting of Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala and Vishwamithra looked threatening with their moves. Ranjan was in top form scoring two quick tries, one was a solo intercepted try which he covered over 60 meters. Ranjan was taken out early in the game giving him the needed rest for their Havies game next weekend.

Kandy led 40/3 at the short breather with two tries each coming in from Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala and Kanchana Ramanayke. Once again their full back Thilina Wijesinghe was in peak form, converting with some difficult angle. Air Force hit back with two tries through Dinesh Weeratunge late in the second half.

With this bonus point win Kandy and Havies both are tied at 63 points apiece but the up country club scoring more tries secured the top position followed by the Park Club and the Sailors.