Rugby double for Kandy

Kandy skipper Roshan Weerarathne together with Gayan Weerarathne receiving the Dialog Rugby Clifford Cup Knockout Champions Trophy 2017 from Dialog Axiata Plc National Sales Vice President Pradeep Keerthirathne. Also present from left: Sri Lanka Rugby Chief Executive Officer Priyantha Ekanayeke, Kandy President Nihal Ratwatte, Havelocks President Lal Silva and Sri Lanka Rugby Vice President Lasitha Gunerathne

By Shamseer Jaleel 

Kandy - 32 points

Havelocks - 20 points

Kandy ended their 2016/2017 rugby season on a high note when they won the rugby double, claiming the league and Clifford Cup titles when they got the better of Havelocks by 32 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty, 1 drop goal) to 20 points (3 tries, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) in the Clifford Cup rugby finals played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday. 

This was the 21st time that Kandy won the Clifford Cup.

At halftime the winners led 24-3.

The game was played under wet conditions where heavy rain was witnessed 30 minutes before kickoff. Though ball handling was tough, Havelocks played well, proceeding deep into Kandyan territory in the early stages of the game. The loss of Dulaj Perera was too much for Havelocks though and as a result they failed to gain the territorial advantage needed for a win. Muthuthanthri, Hirantha Perera and Sudam Sooriyarachchi were outstanding both in defense and attack. Kandy took time to settle in the initial half but once they found their feet it was tough to stop them. Led by Roshan Weeraratne, his brother Gayan, Richard Dharmapala, Dhanushka Ranjan, Fazil Marija and Thilina WijesinInghe, Kandy was at their peak during the season’s final game. In forwards play it was Yakoob Ali and Damith Dissanayake who stood out for the upcountry outfit. For the park club, after the introduction of Sharo Fernando in the latter half, things changed and they came within striking range but the first half deficit of 21 points was too much for them to surmount as they ended gallant losers in rainy conditions in Kandy.

Havies drew first blood in the eighth minute of the game when the Kandy line was caught offside. Fly Half Hirantha Perera was on target with the penalty kick. Five minutes later Kandy equalised through a penalty from fullback Thilina Wijesinghe. A few minutes later through a sweeping three quarter move Kandy scored through their centre Gayan Weeraratne. Thilina added the extra two points. 

Gayan, who was unstoppable with his swift moves, touched down for the second time within minutes after scoring his first try. Thilina was on target with the kick. Then Fazil Marija used his experience to cover nearly 30 meters to touch down. Thlina’s conversion gave Kandy a 24-3 lead heading into halftime.

After the turnaround, Havies dominated proceedings with some powerful forward play helped by Sharo Fernando. Centre Nishon Perera scored back-to-back tries with Hirantha Perera converting one of them. But Thilina, who could not be kept out of the game, put over a neat 30-meter drop goal to take Kandy into safety at 27-15. 

In another forwards rush, Havies scored through their replacement forward Liston Flating. But it was Kandy’s day as they took play deep into Havies’ 22. With ball in hand, Marija kicked to the deep left corner to see winger Richard Dharmapala touching down to take Kandy through to a 32-20 win. The game was refereed by Julien Castaignede from France. Priyantha Gunaratne and Aruna Shantha were the game’s Assistant Referees. The Match Commissioner was Kavinda Jayasena.