CR&FC go down fighting bravely to Kandy

A young CR and FC rugby outfit dished out a superb brand of running rugby where they almost beat the league champs Kandy but fortune did not favour them as they went down fighting in the last couple of minutes in their Dialog inter club Clifford Cup knock out final by 31 points ( 3 Tries, 2 Convertions, 4 Penalties) To 28 ( 4 Tries, 1 Conversion, 2 Penalties) yesterday at Race Course international Grounds in Reid avenue. CR and FC lead 16-13 at half time.

The match got off to a staggering start with both teams battling it out for supremacy where the gallant CR and FC drew first blood in the second minute of play when their sensational third row forward Jason Dissanayaka went like a flash collected a booming kick by scrum half Kavindu De Costa and fell over for a superb try, full back Prince Chamara missed the touch line conversion and CR went in to a 5 Nil lead.

Within a few minutes Kandy went on to lead 6-5 through two simple penalties put over by fly half Nigel Ratwatte.

CR scored again in the 26th minute of play when their fly half Tharinda Ratwatte collected a beautiful pass from Jason Dissanayaka and scored a spectacular try where he sliced through the entire defense including his cousin brother and Kandy fly half Nigel Ratwatte to touched down mid right. Full back Prince missed the conversion ,but CR and FC increased their lead to 10-6.

In the 30th minute of the game CR and FC extended their lead when full back Prince Chamara put over a 40 metre penalty. Score read 13-3 in favour of CR.

CR and FC continued their scoring spree when fly half Tharinda Ratwatte put over another Penalty 45 metres out to give CR a16 points to 6 lead.

Just on the stroke of half time referee awarded a penalty try for Kandy and Nigel made the conversion to close the gap to 16-13 in CR’s favour.

At half time CR and FC was leading 16-13.

Soon after the break Nigel fired across another penalty and the score was 16 all.

Within couple of minutes off a beautiful three quarter move CR national sevens player Jason Dissanayaka made a brilliant break and gave a timely off load to his winger Kavindu Perera who darted down brushing aside several Kandy defenders to score mid left. Fly half Tharinda put over the conversion and CR went in to a 23-16 lead.

Immediatly afterwards Kandy scored through winger Richard Darmapala and the conversion was fluffed by Nigel. Score read 23-21 in CR’s favour.

CR and FC scored again when off a spectacular three quarter move their young flanker Jason Dissanayaka forming the over lap by joining the line broke through and gave a basket ball style off load to fly half Tharinda who in turn sent his full back Prince over for a try mid left. Prince missed the conversion and CR increased their tally to 28 points to 21.

Within two minutes Kandy made the equalizer again off a high ball collected by scrum half Roshan Weeraratna sent Sooriabandara over for a corner flag try, full back Nigel made the conversion and the score was 28 all.

Within couple of minutes remaining, Kandy virtually sealed the match with a simple penalty put over by their full back Nigel Rathwatte to take them to a really lucky 31-28 victory in the end.

Referee - Tim Backer from Hong Kong (WAI)