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| Sunday, 17 July 2005 |
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CR in fine win over Kandy by Lal Gunesekera Table leaders CR & FC remain unbeaten and are now top contenders to regain the Caltex League Rugby Championship this year. Yesterday amidst a massive crowd, CR & FC, defeated defending champions and arch rivals, Kandy Sports Club, in their first-round game at Longden Place by 20 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 8 (1 try, 1 penalty) after being led 3-8 at half time. CR have now won eight games at a trot and completed their first-round games on a very successful note. This was also their first win over Kandy in five years at Longden Place. The last was in 2000 when CR won 19-17 in the second-round. This confrontation evoked much interest and looked as if it could swing either way till about the 20th minute of the second session when CR took a commanding 20-8 lead. It was a terrific tussle for supremacy and a fierce battle ensued. But, CR, looked a much different side in the second session with their forwards and outsides combining effectively. The third-row of skipper Pavithra Fernando, Walpola and Karthelis together with Savantha de Saram were just outstanding. Among the outsides, the halves combination of Zulki Hameed and Asanga Rodrigo had a great game and centres Jayasundera and Kaluaratchi gave a solid display in both attack and defence. Kandy on the other hand must be terribly disappointed with their performance yesterday. They too came into this game unbeaten and with a much better outfit. But, it was not to be as they made far too many mistakes for a champion outfit like theirs. Their forwards did play well at times, but the outsides were guilty in not trying to run the ball more often. Nalaka Weerakoddy put Kandy ahead in the 16th minute with a 35-metre penalty right (3-0), but in the 31st minute, CR made the equaliser through another 35-metre penalty by Pushpakumara. However, Kandy forged ahead in the 35th minute, Kandy skipper Sanjeewa Jayasinghe beat CR defender to the ball after Weerakoddy had kicked ahead to score far right, but Weerakoddy missed the conversion (Kandy 8-3). After the turn around, CR's centre Harin Kaluaratchi made a "chip" over the Kandy outsides and scored mid right, but Pushpakumara failed with the conversion (8-all). This was in the fourth minute and three minutes later CR scored again, to get ahead. CR won a scrum inside Kandy "22" and there was Shamil Mohamed, a replacement, moving swiftly to bolt through to score under the posts. This time, Pushpakumara, made certain of the conversion (CR 15-8). Weerakoddy fluffed a simple 20 metre penalty for Kandy in the 13th minute, but in the 20th minute, CR, scored once again. Right winger Sheriff kicked inside when opposed and Karthelis was there to put the finishing touches. Surprisingly, Pushpakumara, missed a simple conversion (CR 20-8). Dilroy Fernando refereed. |
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