Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Tuesday, 26 November 2013 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Kandy after their super win against CH took on the red shirts at the hallowed Longdon Place. Much was expected from Kandy, but they were a rather subdued lot. The traditional fanfare that accompanies the Kandy side when they travel was conspicuous by their absence, maybe the traders were busy price marking their products after the budget.
For a team that is seriously eyeing the league championship this year the quality of Kandy’s play was poor. They fluffed the ball on many occasions and lost the ball on contact and in short gave away too much of turnover ball. CR for their part never looked like winning the game or even scoring. They kept themselves in contention thanks to the penalties that they were able get over the cross bar.
Kandy’s points came courtesy of some brilliant individual performance by their play maker as opposed to a combined team effort. If they are to lay serious claims on the league title this year they need to play better 15-man rugby. CR just does not have the muscle right now to take on the bigger teams and the coaching-staff have a lot of work to do to make the red shirts into a competitive outfit once more.
There was a vociferous gentleman supporting Kandy in the VVIP section who disagreed with every decision that was made by the referee if it was against Kandy. He continued to provide all of those nearby with his own little commentary of the proceedings.
Unfortunately, I did not have a copy of the latest IRB rules, which I would have gladly shared with him. This is not to say that the referee was correct on all occasions, but I do not believe that the referee deserved the heckling that he was subjected to.
On Sunday the 2013 league champions Havies took on the CH. It was obvious that the Havies were rusty as they were playing their first game. They too lost the ball many a time on contact and gave away two soft tries. When they decided to run the ball and spin it wide they looked good with the wing three quarters looking in sublime form. Havies must guard against overzealous play as evidenced by the fact that two of the forwards were in the sin-bin at the same time.
Any other opposing team would have made the Havies pay, but instead the Havies scored during that period of play. One of it was quite hilarious as they won a five yard scrum and with fewer men in the pack it would have been logical to get the ball out quick instead of which they chose to push through and eventually score. CH for their part never gave up and scored when the opportunity presented itself. They too have a huge mountain to climb if they are to regain past glory.
Navy had it quite easy against the Police, although playing the game on two days had me stumped. I suppose of the tournament rules permit the same it should be considered valid. Much was expected of the new kids on the block, the Sharks. The Airmen did themselves proud by holding the much fancied Sharks to a draw.
On the international front the All Blacks suffered a scare against a plucky Irish side. It was almost as it was a repeat performance as the All Blacks almost lost their unbeaten record at the end of the season. In the bargain the All Blacks have created some history and denied the proverbial Irish eyes from smiling.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)
