Kandy SC edge out Up Country Lions

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

A good second half rally by Kandy Sports Club saw them redeem some prestige in scoring a close 19 points (2 goals, 1 try) to 17 (2 goals, 1 try) win over Up Country Lions in their Dialog League rugby tournament match played at the Jayatilleke Sports Complex, Nawalapitiya yesterday. At half time it was the Lions who were in command leading 17-5.

Hevy rain fall during the match which made the ground conditions wet and slippery especially in the second and the Kandy team took full advantage of it to take the Up Country Lions in their own den after their giant killing performance over Navy last week.

The Up Country Lions started off well and the early indications were that they will run through Kandy after they took a 17-0 lead mid way in the first half but in the period of play which followed they floundered.

The Up Country Lions took the lead in the 11th minute when the Kandy team were found off side and Lions full back Rajitha Sansoni put over a 30 metre penalty. Lions 3-0.

The Up Country Lions forged further ahead in the 17th minute when their three quarters moved the ball deep inside Kandy territory and flanker Gayan Ratnage joined in to score for left full back Rajitha Sansoni added the extra points. Lions 10-0.

In the 23rd minute once again Lions three quarters displayed fluency to take play close to the Kandy line and stand off Nigel Ratwatte went over mid left. Rajitha Sansoni added the extra points. Up Country Lions had taken what appeared to be an unassailable lead which they could have defended for the rest of the game. It was from here onwards that Kandy recovery was seen.

In the 30th minute Kandy pressed deep inside Lions territory and winger Danush Dayan scored far left. This try went unconverted. Kandy had reduced the lead to 5-17 by lemons.

The rest of the game belonged to Kandy as they made deep in roads to Lions territory and the home team wilted under pressure.

In the 17th minute of the second half it way Kandy's flying fly half Fazil Marija who made a brilliant run to score near the posts and added the extra points himself. Kandy 12-17.

Midway in this half Kandy once again looked to fly half Fazil Marija who side stepped two defenders to score near the posts and once again added the extra points for Kandy to take the lead first time in the match.

Rest of the play saw both teams striving hard to score but the defence held.

Paul Mackay refereed.