CH end 18-year wait

Tuesday, 5 February 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sudharshana Muthuthanthri is well-held by Nigel Ratwatte of Kandy SC – Pic by Chamila Karunarathne

CH & FC continued their magnificent form in round two when they ended Kandy SC’s winning streak which spanned for 18 years with a magnificent 33 points (four tries, two conversions, three penalties) to 17 points (two tries, two conversions, one penalty) win at the Racecourse rugby grounds.

At the short breather, scores stood at 16/7.

Kandy played minus their playmaker and number 8, Buwaneka Udangamuwa and Dhanushka Ranjan both on the injured list while CH & FC lost out on their regular skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa who was expected to start but his doctor’s advice will keep him out for a further two weeks away from rugby. He is keen to return for the Super four round.

Samuel Maduwantha put CH on the board for an early score in the game. Kandy hit back soon and strong through their hooker Uchitha Jayasooriya. Thilina Wijesinghe’s conversion took them to a 7/3 lead. CH who played grand rugby scored next through Nishon Perera where the try was initiated by Adam Gauder. Another Maduwantha penalty took CH into comfort at 11/7. Another try by Sudharshana Muthuthanthri took them to the breather at 16/7 lead.

After the turnaround, Kandy hit back through a Vishwamithra Jayasinghe try and Thilina Wijesinghe conversion to reduce the deficit for Kandy at 16/14. Then CH hit back with some fire through Samuel Maduwantha who touched down for CH. He scored the try and took the lead to 23/14. Both CH and Kandy scored one more penalty to take the score to 26/17. Sudam Sooriyarachchi, who had a grand game, danced his way for the last CH try and Maduwantha was accurate to take the win at 33/17.

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne

Kandy will need to win both their remaining matches against CR & FC and Havelock SC to maintain their number one position and have a home advantage for the Super four games. (SJ)