Navy sink Kandy to continue winning streak

Monday, 5 December 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Navy pulled off a dramatic win over Kandy, edging them 37 points (4 tries, 4 conversions, 3 penalties) to 32 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties) in Welisara yesterday.

At halftime the winners led 24-22.

Both teams tried their level best to quickly settle into the game. Kandy played well in patches during the game’s initial phase. Most of the time the upcountry outfit opted to use their fast wingers but at times the option was negated through the close marking of Navy. Kandy winger Richard Dharmapala was pushed over the touch line on several occasions by the powerful Navy three-quarter line. Once again their fly half Fazil Marija and centre Dhanushka Ranjan proved tough to bring down. The later went on to score two magnificent tries to take his tally to seven this season which is the highest to date by any player. Kandy at break down points looked a yard slower than their opponents. For the Sailors Sathya Ranathunaga and Dhanushka Perera played well in defence as well as in attack. Their Fullback Thilina Weerasinghe was once more very safe and accurate to keep the Welisara outfit unbeaten in the league.

Kandy drew first blood through their Hooker Damith Dissanyake. Navy hit back soon after through a handy try from Buddhima Piyaratne. Weerasinghe added the extra two points. A few minutes later Weerasinghe missed out and was on target with the second penalty attempt to take Navy to a 10-5 lead. Then Navy dominated proceedings and attacked Kandy’s 22, ending in a try for Scrum Half Richie Dharmapala. Weerasinghe converted the try. Soon afterwards, Jamaldeen reduced the deficit through a penalty. Jamaldeen made a mess when he failed to clear a ball which saw Supun Peiris charging the clearance kick and touching down. Kandy, who were down and out at 24-8, hit back within a short space of time through tries from skipper Roshan Weeraratna and Dhanushka Ranjan. Jamaldeen converted both to have the scores reading 24-22 in favour of Navy.

After the turnaround Navy fullback Weerarasinghe put over two penalties but Kandy hit back through Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Dhanushka Ranjan’s solo try to cut the deficit to one point. The next minute saw Kandy taking the lead for the second time in the game through a Jamaldeen penalty. But it was short-lived as Prop Dulanjan Wijesinghe powered his way for a forwards’ try with Weerasinghe once again accurate from the spot. The game’s referee was Priyantha Gunaratne, its assistant referees were Pradeep Fernando and Dinka Peiris, the match commissioner was Ana Wijeratne and the TMO was Tony Amit. (SJ)