Kandy continue winning ways

Fazil Marija, who had an outstanding game, avoids a tackle by Avishka Lee

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Kandy Sports Club continued their winning form in the Dialog Inter-Cub League when they edged out a gutsy CH&FC outfit for a 34 points (3 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 23 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 2 penalties) win at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

However, for the first time this season the team was seen playing under pressure at home. Kandy led 19-10 at halftime.

The game was played at a hectic pace with both teams dishing out excellent running rugby. CH settled well early in the half but failed to convert their opportunities into points. Usually reliable placekicker, former Antonian player Samuel Maduwantha, had an average game, missing several easy penalties and kicks at goal. Lee Keegale, Sathya Ranathunge, the Lee brothers and Yoshitha Rajpaksa stood out for CH&FC.

In fact Rajapaksa constantly produced several swift moves. He led the forwards and Kandy was always in check throughout the 80 minutes of play. Although CH dominated proceedings Kandy scored whenever they wanted. This was the difference between the two teams, plus Maduwantha lost nearly 10 points which could have made the game even tighter.

On the other hand the defending champions defended well during the initial 20 minutes, not allowing the visitors to score. When they got an opportunity they scored, which put the CH outfit under pressure. Kandy opted for Lavanga Perera on the wing instead of Richard Dharmapala who was called for a high tackle in the CR game. Fazil Marija led the three quarters well with his experience and exposure in Asia and he stood out for the Kandy outfit. He initiated many breaks for Kandy which ended in tries.

Wilwara, Nigel and Ranjan too were threatening in offence but were well marked. In forwards play Yakoob Ali and Shehan Pathirana were outstanding. The game saw no less than eight high tackles but only one caught the eye of the officials, which saw Ganuka of Kandy sent to the sin bin.

Maduwantha missed a sitter in the fourth minute of the game when Kandy was penalised for not releasing the ball. Kandy drew first blood in the ninth minute of the game when Iranga Ariyapala of CH failed to protect the ball. Nigel Ratwatte scored the opening try for the upcountry outfit.

In the 29th minute of the game, Maduwantha put CH on the board through a 30-metre penalty. The next move saw Marija covering nearly 50 meters to score untouched. Nigel Ratwatte added the extra two points to open a 12-3 lead.

A quick move which appeared to be a knock-on ended with Lee Keegale scoring CH’s first try. This move was referred to the Television Match Official (TMO). The try was deemed legal. Sooriyabandara, who had a full 80-minute game after a long break, proved his worth when he dummied his way for a converted try to have the score reading 19-10 in Kandy’s favour. After the turnaround the exhilarating battle continued. CH&FC winger Heshan Maduranga scored but Kandy replied through their skipper Gayan Weeraratne. Nigel was accurate in the corner flag conversion to push the lead to 26-15. Heshan Maduranga’s second try reduced the deficit to six points once again. Maduwantha was off target with his kick at goal. The next five minutes of play saw both Kandy and CH putting over one penalty each from Nigel and Maduwantha. With the score standing at 29-23, it was a nervous time for Kandy. When they got a kickable penalty they opted for a lineout throw. But it ended in CH winning the ball and attacking through Rajapaksa who almost scored.

Kandy during the last five minutes kept on attacking the CH half. Experienced workhorse Marija opted to cross kick the ball deep right to his schoolmate Lavange Perera to touch down and score. The referee for the game was Dinka Peiris. The TMO was Tony Amit.

Navy continue winning form

CR&FC, who did not seem to have recovered from the shock they received a week ago when they were beaten by 50 points by Kandy,suffered their second consecutive defeat when they were beaten by Navy 34-18.

Navy fullback and former Isipathana playerThilina Weerasinghe was the difference between the two teams with two tries, four conversions and two penalties,recording a personal tally of 24 points out of the team’s 34 points. He has been simply outstanding for the sailors this season.

Danushka Perera scored first for the home team. Weerasinghe,who was on target with the conversion, also put over an early penalty for the Navy outfit. Young Reza Rafaideen cut the deficit through a penalty. Navy went further ahead with a quick tap, ending in Weerasinghe going over the line and converting easily. A penalty each from Tharinda Ratwatte and Weerasinghe took the scores to 20-6 in favourof Navy. Another Weerasinghe try and conversion took Navy further ahead to 27-6. CR hit back through forwardKokilaSambandapperuma with Ratwatte converting it to take the score to 27-13.

Former Trinity winger and national Sevens playerSashan Mohamed scored for CR to reduce the Navy lead to 27-18. Navy scored the bonus point during injury time when hookerDulanjana Wijesinghe scored for Weerasinghe to add the two points to seal a 34-18 win and be in the hunt for second place and get ready for defending champions Kandy SC next week at home.

Air Force shock Army

Air Force created the greatest upset of the season when they outclassed Army 33-10.At halftime the winners led 19-10. Army dropped down from number four in the first round to number six. This is a major blow for a reputed coach of Nilfer Ibrahim’s calibre. Meanwhile, Air Force will need to be satisfied with the number seven slot as the difference between them and the solders is too wide for them to bridge.

Cops and Havies play out thrilling draw

The Police Sports Club made a remarkable comeback in the second half of their game against second-placed Havelocks as they came from behind to record a 24-24 draw at Police Park yesterday.

At halftime Havies led 17-12. Both teams scored four tries each, converting two of them. With this win Navy will move up the ladder to second position and Havies will drop down to number three. Kandy lead the table over CH&FC (4), CR&FC (5), Army (6), Air Force (7) and Police, who are placed last in the league.