Kandy made to huff and puff

by Lal Gunesekera

The undisputed champions of the local rugby scene, Kandy Sports Club, opened their season in the Caltex (A1) League Championship with an unimpressive 23 points (1 goal, 2 tries, 2 penalties) to 9 (3 penalties) win over Army at Havelock Park yesterday. Kandy led 8-3 at half time.

Kandy seemed content with only winning and not entertaining the spectators with their usual brand of rugby. It was a big disappointment and Kandy (or any other top side for that matter) has an obligation to entertain the spectators who spend good money to see them in action. Perhaps, Kandy, were keeping their best for the games with CR & FC and CH & FC - two other top contenders for the crown.

T. A. Silva put Army ahead in the second minute with a simple 20 metre penalty. Fifteen minutes later, Kandy surged ahead with right winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe scoring off a move initiated by Prasad Chathuranga their scrum-half who brought play into the Army '22'. Nalaka Weerakoddy missed the conversion (Kandy 5-3). However, Weerakoddy, made no mistake with a simple 15 metre penalty for Kandy to take lemons at 8-3.

After the 'turn around', Silva fired across his second penalty for Army to close the gap (6-8), but missed a difficult 40 metre attempt in the 13th minute.

There was a disputed try in the 28th minute when Kandy's Weerakoddy kicked a grubber for Jayasinghe to fall on the ball near the right corner flag. Weerakoddy failed with the conversion (Kandy 13-6).

Soon afterwards, Kandy's fly-half Nilufer Ibrahim scored under the posts and with Weerakoddy converting Kandy led 20-6. Three minutes later, Silva, put over his third penalty for Army who reduced the lead to 9-20, but just before the final whistle of Dilroy Fernando, Kandy scored through another simple penalty by Weerakoddy to win 23-9.

The Army Sports Board must take note about the facilities for media personnel. Please see that they are not harassed.

This writer was refused entry to the ground.

First, his motor cycle was not permitted entry into the club car park. Then, the pass issued by the SLRFU was not accepted and only when the media accreditation card of the Information Department was shown, was he allowed in. To add to the misery, there were no seats allocated for media personnel.