Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
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Kandy SC flanker Wewala Panditha held by Havies forward Abdullah Faiz – Pic by Shane Senevirathne
By Shamseer Jaleel
Kandy Sports Club produced a good team performance to overpower Havelock Sports Club in a six-try blitz, sealing second place on the points table with a 36-26 victory in front of a packed Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.
Although Havies showed flashes of resistance, Kandy’s control, pace, and clinical finishing proved decisive in their final home game before the Super Round finals.
At the short breather, the defending champions had already laid a strong foundation, leading 19-7 after dominating territory and possession. Their ability to convert pressure into points set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Havies almost gave up the game 15 minutes in the earlier half but settled later after conceding two tries to Kandy.
Kandy dictated proceedings superbly through their three-quarter line, which looked sharp and dangerous throughout. Dinal Ekanayake, Akash Madushanka, and Srinath Sooriyabandara were outstanding in open play, repeatedly breaking the defensive line. Among the forwards, Dilshan Fareed and Dahan Wickramarachchi stood out with strong carries and tireless work at the breakdown.
Havelock SC played well in patches and briefly threatened to turn the game around when they narrowed the margin to a single try. However, Kandy showed composure under pressure and finished strongly to secure a well-earned bonus-point victory. Havies failed to start early, plus did not finish their moves. Azmir Fajudeen, Abdullah Faiz, and Jayathu Rajarathna had a good outing.
Kandy drew first blood in the opening minute when scrum-half Heshan Jansen sniped through for an early try. Hirusha Sampath took over kicking duties but failed to convert. The hosts struck again through a sweeping backline movement that ended with Dinal Ekanayake scoring, with Sampath adding the extras.
Havelock responded after Samuel Maduwantha missed a 40-metre penalty, as Abdullah Faiz crossed for their first try after coming from seeing Yellow, which Maduwantha converted. Kandy, however, had the final say in the half when Ekanayake touched down for his second try just before the break.
After the turnaround, the introduction of Mohamed Rifan added tempo to the Havelock backline. Samoan centre Amituanai Visesio crossed the line, with Maduwantha converting to reduce the deficit.
Kandy responded emphatically with back-to-back tries from Dilshan Fareed and Sooriyabandara. Havies refused to go away, replying with two well-worked forward tries by Azmir Fajudeen to close the score to 31-26.
A defining moment came when Kandy winger Ekanayake produced a superb tackle on Maduwantha near the line, forcing a crucial knock-on. Kandy maintained pressure, and another sweeping three-quarter move saw Sampath score the final try to seal the 36-26 victory.
Referee Raveen Alexander handled proceedings well in an entertaining, high-intensity contest.
In another Inter-Club game, CH & FC outclassed Sri Lions 59/12 at Longdon Place.
