Kandy stamp their class in Sevens

Dialog Club 7s Rugby Champions - Kandy Team

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club, led by Nigel Ratwatte, sent a strong warning when they outclassed CR & FC 24/14 in the Inter-Club Sevens 2019 Cup final which was played at the Racecourse Rugby Groundsyesterday.

At the short breather, Kandy led 12/7. 

Kandy scored first when Lavanga Perera handed off few defenders to touchdown. Sooriyabandara added the extras. Kandy scored their second try when Kavindu Perera dashed left corner flag for a try. CR hit back when Kandy was caught napping with their skipper, Reza Rafaideen, touching down.

After the turnaround, Kandy scored two more tries through Kavindu Perera and Jason Dissanayake. CR scored their second try on full time when Janidu Dilshan scored a magnificent solo try, covering nearly 60 metres and beating Sooriyabandara on his way. Kandy SC was coached by Fazil Marija. Defending sevens champions CH & FC could not advance beyond the Cup quarter-finals as they were beaten by Police A 28/12. Defending league champions Kandy SC had a field day beating Air Force and Havelock on their way to the final encounter. Meanwhile CR & FC beat Navy and Police on their way to the final encounter against Kandy.

Navy A accounted for the Plate with Police B taking home the Bowl trophy. Air Force B accounted for the Shield. Malay CC, coming out for the first time, did well to end as the Shield runner-up.

The highest try scorer award was awarded to Kavindu Perera for planting eight tries. He also won the most valuable player of the tournament.

Shield semi-finals

Malay CC beat Galle RFC 31/5, Air Force B beat Peterson RFC 40/5

Shield final

Air Force B beat Malay CC 24/0

Bowl semi-finals

Army B beat CH & FC B 17/12, Police B beat Navy B 19/10

Bowl final

Police B beat Army B 14/7

Plate semi-finals

Air Force A beat Army A 21/15, CH & FC A beat Navy A

Plate final

Navy A beat Air Force A 24/19

Cup quarter-finals

Havelock A beat Army A 24/7, Kandy SC beat Air Force A 32/0, Police A beat CH & FC A 28/12, CR & FC beat Navy A 17/7

Cup semi-finals

Kandy SC beat Havelock A 29/5, CR & FC beat Police A 26/12

Cup final

Kandy SC beat CR & FC 24/14

Pix by Chamila Karunarathne

Kandy Rugby team captain Nigel Ratwatte gets the Champions Trophy from Dialog Axiata Senior Genaral Manager - Brand and Media Dialog, Harsha Samaranayaka

CR&FC team captain Reeza Rafaideen get the Cup Runners up Trophy from Dialog Axiata Senior Genaral Manager - Brand and Media Dialog, Harsha Samaranayaka