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| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
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Kandy in unimpressive win by Lal Gunesekera Defending champions Kandy Sports Club went through a lot of anxious moments before beating CH & FC by 27 points ( 2 goals, 2 tries 1 penalty) to 6 (2 penalties) after leading 17-3 at half time in their second-round Caltex League Rugby Championship game at Maitland Crescent yesterday. This was in the Cup category. Kandy cannot at all be pleased by their performance last evening. Much was to be desired - particularly play by their forwards and after dominating play in the final 30 minutes of the first session, were never allowed to get into top gear in the second. If they play like this, CR, are certain of winning the "return" and regain the League title on August 21. CH after 10 minutes of good rugby in the first session let the game slip and one wondered whether they had any game plan at all. But came the second and it looked as if it was a different CH side. They were determined and applied the pressure on Kandy and showed that Kandy were vulnerable under pressure. They could have at least scored twice, but made mistakes through their outsides. After Wijeweera missed a difficult 45-metre penalty for CH in the second minute, Kandy went into the lead in the 14th minute with fly-half Marija beating the ball to the "dead ball" area. Nalaka Weerakoddy made good with the conversion (Kandy 7-0). Two minutes later, Kandy scored again. Once again, it was Marija who darted over 40 metres to score mid left, but Weerakoddy missed the conversion (Kandy 12-0). Then they scored again three minutes later. This time off a line-out inside CH "22" right flank, centre Sajith Mallikaratchi found the gap to score, and again Weerakoddy failed with the conversion. CH then reduced the lead in the 31st minute with a near 40 metre penalty by Wijeweera (CH3-17). After the "turn around", Nalin Dissanayake reduced the lead further for CH with a 40-metre penalty in the second minute (CH 6-17). Three minutes later Wijeweera fluffed a simple 25 metre penalty for CH. In the 10th minute, Weerakoddy, put over a splendid 45-metre penalty for Kandy to lead 20-6. Then in the 26th minute. Malath Silva, the replacement No 8 barged over after a quick short tap from five metres away and this time Weerakoddy obliged with the extra points (Kandy 27-6). Aruna Jayasekera refereed. Take note What does the Gymkhana Club need? Do they want publicity through the print media or coverage through the electronic media. Sure they need both, but please make better arrangements next time your game is given live coverage on TV. Yesterday, the print media personnel were squeezed in between the TV commentators and a massive buffer (or whatever you may call it) blaring out music. On Friday, Navy scored an upset 18 points (1 goal, 1 try, penalties) to 15 (1 goal, 1 try, 1 penalty) win over Army at Galle Face in a Cup category game. Today, CR play traditional rivals Havelocks at Longden Place in the Cup category, while Air Force play hosts to Police at Ratmalana in the Plate category. |
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