Kandy outclass Army

By Shamzeer Jaleel

The Kandy Sports Club got back to cracking form when they outclassed the Soldiers by 34 points (3 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 10 points (1 goal, 1 penalty) in their Inter Club rugby encounter played at the Racecourse Rugby Grounds yesterday.

At the short breather, Kandy comfortably led 24/3.

Kandy, who had badly needed to get back to form in this game after their defeat to Air Force, won in style yesterday. After a slow start, once again ball handling errors cost at least two tries early in the game for the Up Country outfit. However, once settled, they were unstoppable. In the 10th minute of the game Centre Kanchana Ramanayake drew first blood through a sweeping three-quarter move. Jamaldeen missed the conversion. A few minutes later, Army SC missed a difficult penalty attempt 45 meters out. Kandy who continued attacking in Army territory scored through their “steel strong” Buwanka Udangamuwa who powered his way through to score his first try for the season in his opening game for the Up Country club. Jamaldeen was on target with the kick at goal. Four minutes later, Richard Dharmapala kicked and chased a lost ball to score a dandy try. Jamaldeen converted to increase the lead to 19 to nothing. Army who played well in patches especially by skipper and Number 8 Manoj and Prop Forward Jayalal. Meanwhile, Richard Dharmapala had time for his second try in the initial half while Army moved the scoreboard through a Chanaka Kumara penalty.

After the turn around, it was the Army who dished out better rugby in wet conditions. Jamaldeen increased the Kandy lead through a penalty, but the game was stopped due to lightning on the 54th minute. After a stoppage of about five minutes, the Army re-grouped and once again was in attacking mode. After a number of attacks in several phases, the Soldiers scored their only try of the game through Nishantha Kobekaduwa. Chanaka Kumara converted. But Kand,y who looked the better side of the day, had time for one more try by Jamaldeen with Full Back Thilina Wijesinghe adding the 2 extra points to run away with a comfortable 34/10 win.

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne

Meanwhile, Air Force continued their fine form in the Inter Club League when they defeated Police SC by 22 points (1 goal, 5 penalties) to 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) after leading 9 to nothing at the short breather.

The game was played at Police Park.

Referee Priya Suranga