Kandy SC remain unbeaten with 20-10 win over Havelocks

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy Sports Corr.

Defending League Champion Kandy Sports Club kept their unbeaten record intact when they inflicted a 20 points (one goal, two tries, one penalty) to 10 (one goal, one penalty) win over the hitherto unbeaten Havelocks Sports Club in their Dialog League rugby championship match played before a capacity crowd at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy yesterday. At half time Kandy Sports Club led 10-7.

Kandy went into the game without the services of four regulars namely Welshman and Prop Danny Halliday. Winger Nuwan Hettiarachchi, hooker Anuranga Walpola, No.8 Kith Gurusinghe and skipper and full back Saliya Kumara whose services in the last line of defence was sadly missed.

Architect of Kandy's win was once again stand off Fazil Marija and Sean Wijesinghe. Fazil Marija in particular directed the operations from the pivotal position of fly half and often relieved pressure with booming kicks to touch. Sean Wijesinghe had an excellent game as No.8. Havelocks surpassed Kandy in 5th minute when they took possession of the ball from a ruck situation and flanker Thusitha Samaratillake sliced past two defender to score near the post. Full back Mohamed Shiriff added the extra points. Havelocks 7-0.

A minute later Havelocks were awarded a 35 metre penalty but Sheriff failed to convert.

Kandy came back fighting into the game and in 10th minute a drop goal attempted by stand off Fazil Marija was off target.

In the 13th minute Kandy missed another chance of opening their account when scrum half Roshan Weeraratne missed a penalty from 35 metre range.

It was only in the 15th minute that Kandy was able to open their account when the Havelocks three quarter were spotted off side and Kandy's scrum half Roshan Weeraratne converted a 35 metre penalty to make it 3-7.

Kandy kept applying the pressure but Havelocks defence did not wilt and they warded off several changes. Kandy also wasted possession on several occasions by kicking into opponents in goal area.

In the 35th minute Kandy won a line out inside Havelocks '22' and ball moved swiftly to the right flank and from a ruck stand off Fazil Marija cut through defence to touch down by the right corner flag. Scrum half Roshan Weeraratne added the extra points with a well directed kick. Kandy 10-7.

In the 5th minute of the second half Havelocks had an opportunity of increasing their tally but centre Niva Tausa missed a 35 metre penalty.

In the 10th minute Kandy got further ahead when they got possession of the ball in the line out and their three quarters moved the ball sweetly from left flank to right and No.8 Sean Wijesinghe backing up well scored by the right corner flag. Roshan Weerarante failed to add the extra points. Kandy led 15-7.

In the 16th minute Havelocks narrowed the gap through a penalty fired by centre Niva Tausa. Havelocks 10-15.In the dying stages of the game Kandy's three quarters once again displayed their flair for running with the ball with centre Pradeep Liyanage scoring far right. Roshan Weeraratne failed to add the extra points. Kandy led 20-10 and it was all over bar the shouting.

Nizam Jamaldeen referred.