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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Three D's take Kandy right to the top by LAL GUNASEKERA The all-conquering Kandy Sports Club outfit were adjudged the Best Rugby Club for the fourth consecutive year at the Observer-Caltex Rugby Awards 2004 at Hotel Ceylon Continental on Friday night. "It was Discipline, Determination and Dedication of the players that brought honours for Kandy," said Malath Silva - Vice President who was standing in for Kandy's President Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte. There was a lot of planning too, Malath Silva added. Wining this award from its inception in 2001, Kandy, proved that they are indeed the champions of the local rugby scene. They won the Caltex League for the fourth consecutive year (2001 to 2004). This was the eighth occasion that they had won it in 11 years. They emerged champions in 1994 under Indrajit Bandaranayake, 1995 under Saman Kotalawela, 1997 under Lasantha Wijesuriya, 1999 under Haris Omar, and then from 2001 to 2004 under Nalaka Weerakoddy, Pradeep Basnayake, Sajith Mallikaaratchi and Radhika Hettiaratchi respectively. During the Caltex League Championship, Kandy led by Sri Lanka captain Radhika Hettiaratchi, won seven of the eight games in the first round, losing only to Army 19-20. They had some big wins over Old Zahirians (141-0), Air Force (80-12), Navy (81-18) and Havelocks (61-13). In the second round, Kandy won all games (they could not play against CR) and once again had big wins over Havelocks (46-14), Police (62-6) and Army (52-13). Kandy SC also won the Caltex Clifford Cup for the sixth consecutive year (1999 to 2004). This was the 11th occasion they had won this trophy in 13 years. The previous wins were in 1997 under Lasantha Wijesuriya, 1996 under Imthi Marikar, 1995 under Saman Kotalawela, 1993 under Priyantha Ekanayake and 1992 under Maurice Joachim. From 1999 to 2004, Kandy, were led by Dunstan de Silva, Indrajith Bandaranayake, Harris Omar, Nalaka Weerakoddy, Pradeep Basnayake, Sajith Mallikaaratchi and Radhika hettiaratchi. This year's final saw Kandy record a 51-20 win (the highest) against Havelocks after beating Army (51-0) in the semi-final. Formed in 1874, there were many activities in Kandy SC (cricket, rugby, soccer, hockey and athletics) and it was initially at Bogambara till the 2nd World War broke out in 1939. It was then that they shifted to Nittawela through the untiring efforts of David Bennett, John Ponney, Colonel Stanley Ratwatte, Role Willet, Christie Duniwille, Dr. J. C. Block, E. R. Senanayake, E. L. Senanayake, Bennet de Soysa and Dr. K. B. Sangakkara. Kandy SC's resurgence started in 1992 and created a severe impact among the schools in the area and this has reflected in the composition of the conquering outfits. Malath Silva who was deputising for Kandy's President, Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte, said that they will continue signing on foreign players next year (2005) too where they hope to retain the titles on this year. They were coached by Samoan Tavita (Laga) Tulagaese this season too. He also played for Kandy. However, two top players (Asoka Jayasena and Indrajith Bandaranayake) decided to hang up their boots at the end of the season. They contributed tremendously for their successes over the years. Another person who has done a lot for Kandy SC in none other than former Royal, CR & FC and Sri Lanka scrum-half Malik Samarawickrema, who held the reigns of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) too. He has been responsible for a lot of improvements at Nittawela. |
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