Kandy in lack lustre win
 

by Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr.

Defending Caltex League Champions Kandy Sports Club scored a lack lustre 41 points (3 goals, 4 tries) to 12 (4 penalties) win over Havelocks in their Caltex League Rugby tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday. At half time Kandy SC led 17-9.

This match saw Kandy SC playing for below par. There were hardly an good moves and the three quarters were not fed with the ball though Kandy had plenty of possession. On the other hand Havelocks tackled well and did not allow their opponents much liberty.

Kandy opened scoring early in the game through a try by No. 8 Dushantha Lewke who powered his way to score mid left. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to add the extra points. A few minutes later Havelocks reduced the lead through a penalty put over by fly half Sajith Bandara. Midway in this half prop Jeewa Galgamuwa smothered a kick by a Havelocks defender and picked up the loose ball and touched down far left. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to add the extra points. Kandy 10-3.

Havelocks fly half Sajith once again fired a 35 metre penalty to reduced to lead to 6-10 which sent shock waves to the Kandy team.

Another try by centre Chamara Withanage off a second phase move which was goalled by Nalaka Weerakoddy saw Kandy increase their lead to 17-6. But on the stroke of the short blast a penalty by Havelocks fly half Sajith Bandara saw close the gap to 9-17.

But after the turn around, Kandy playing more cohesive rugby with the substitution of players saw them pile up the points but not to their true potential. In the 4th minute of the second half winger Chamara Withanage collected an inside pass from Nalaka Weerakoddy and plunged over. Kandy 22-9. In the 16th minute centre Sajith Mallikarachchi breezed his way to score far left. Full back Erande Weerakoddy added the extra points. Kandy led 29-9.

Another penalty by Havelocks stand off Sajith Bandara saw Havelocks reduce the lead for the last time 12-29. In the 30th minute of this half saw the best try of the match when centre Pradeep Liyanage intercepted a pass and ran 50 metres to score mid left.

Erande Weerakoddy made a brilliant conversion Kandy led 36-12. Just before the final blast centre Pradeep Liyanage touched down far left to give Kandy a 41-12 win. Aruna Jayasekera refereed.