Kandy SC takes Caltex League title despite CR win
 

‘Red Shirts’ in an exciting 16 - 14 win over League Champions

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Rugby. The Ceylonese Rugger and Football Club won the battle but lost the war and their winger Vishvamithra Jayasinghe became an instant hero when he produced a breath taking 80 meter run to bring down the high riding Kandy SC in their final Caltex 'A' division league rugger match at Longden Place, yesterday.

The scores read CR & FC 16 (1 goal, 3 penalties) to 14 ( 1 try, 3 penalties).

Kandy Sports Club secured the Caltex 'A' Divcision League title for the tenth consecutive year by virtue being ahead of the points table.

The 'red shirts' should consider themselves a trifle unlucky after having the better of exchanges in the first half their full back usually a reliable place kicker Reza Mubarak missed at least three relatively easy penalties and a try scoring opportunity off a five meter scrum by skipper Dushanth Lewke who knocked on after breaking off in the wet conditions dashed 'CR" hopes.

Mubarak missed a penalty almost with the kick off, but Saliya Kumara fired over one to open scoring for the winners. There after Kandy extended their lead when winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe gave the finishing touches to a three quarter move.

Mubarak reduced the gap putting over a penalty, but missed the subsequent ones. He quickly found his kicking process right firing over two penalties and lemons were taken at 11-9.

Play resumed with a heavy drizzle and both sides played with their forwards, but Kandy looked threatening when ever their back division was on the move. It consisted of virtually a Sri Lanka line with the players of the calibre of scrum half Roshan Weeraratne, skipper and fly half Fazil Marija, centres Pradeep Liyanage, Gayan Weeraratne, full back Saliya Kumara and winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe.

Kandy who looked certain of taking the 'cup' as well as the match suddenly saw winger Visvamithra Jayasinghe intercepting a pass almost in the Kandy goal line during injury time and covered good ground unchallenged to touch down under the post. Reza Mubarak put over the easy conversion.

Referee. Rohan Nishantha.