One-way traffic at Police Park

Eight-try Kandy too much of a match:

by Sajeewa Jayakody

In a game marred by frayed tempers and violent attitudes, Kandy recorded an easy 50 points (six goals, one try, one penalty) to 13 (two tries, one penalty) win over Police at Police Park yesterday after leading 29 to three at half time.

There was absolutely nothing to prevent Kandy from rolling over their host as they scored tries at will.

Kandy skipper Fazil Marija, who had a grand game, dominated the proceedings from the start as the visitors increased the lead through his brilliant work.

The newly-wedded Sri Lanka captain Marija scored three tries (two in the first half) which were converted easily before he was taken out and rested 10 minutes after the resumption in the second half.

But Kandy by that time had dominated the match scoring 36 points while the home team had taken only three points from a penalty kick.

Police scored the first three points through a 45-metre penalty which was a brilliant kick by Reza Mubarak within the first three minutes of play.

But after that Kandy called the shots and decided which way the traffic should flow as they gave so much to their supporters.

Kandy flanker Soyura Anthony touched down near the right post for the opening try, which was converted as Kandy led 7-3 in the fourth minute of the match.

Three minutes later Marija, dazzled through to score near the left corner flag after a quick movement evading Police forwards to make it 12-3. In the 12th minute, Kandy place kicker Arshard Jamaldeen fired across a 20-metre penalty helping the team increase the lead 15-3.

Later after a well calculated chip-over kick by Marija, Lavanga Perera was at hand to collect the ball and score an easy try under the post for Jamaldeen to convert as Kandy increased their lead 29-3 at half time.

Within three minutes on resumption, the spectators witnessed one of the most fascinating tries as Marija scored his third try by the left corner flag after hooker Damith Dissanayake was yellow-carded by referee Anura Rankothge.

The two teams engaged in heated arguments and almost went into blows on three occasions that resulted in three players shown yellow cards. Following a high neck tackle, Police flanker Sharo Fernando was red-carded in the 15th minute of the second half. But Kandy had their sixth try when Vishwamithra Jayasinghe ran round the post to score and make it 43-3.

Police had some consolation when after a rolling maul they scored their first of two tries near the left corner flag with Number Eight Bilal Hassen doing the honours.

But overall Police were a pathetic team while scrum half Sudam Sooriyarachchi crossed the line to score.

Shashika Jayawardene wrapped up the match with Kandy’s eighth try near the right corner flag for Jamaldeen to make a splendid conversion.