Havies decimate Kandy

At the start of the game even the most diehard HSC fan would not have dreamed that Havies would notch up fifty points against the defending champions. Having followed the fortunes of HSC rugby from the early seventies, this was by far the most ruthless win by HSC. It was not pretty as the game has changed over the years, but it was clinical, efficient and effective.

A number of HSC supporters were seen clicking the scoreboard on their mobile phones at the end of the game and I said to one of them you may never see such a score line for a number of years.

Without taking away any gloss from the HSC win, it must be noted that Kandy appeared to be disjointed and at sea when confronted with the HSC wave of attack. They fluffed the ball many times and on more than one occasion looked embarrassed when they won the ball, wondering what to do with it.

Rucking and counter rucking by HSC was superb on the day and the back row of HSC did yeoman service in this area by obtaining turnover ball as they stayed on their feet. At line out time, with the opposition throw in, HSC decided quite wisely to contest for the ball and in doing so they were able spoil many a set move by Kandy.

To say that Kandy had an off day is an understatement as they threw everything into the game in a do or die effort. The home teams kicking to touch was superb and well executed with a number of the three quarters chasing down these kicks adding to the overall pressure of Kandy.

It is indeed difficult to pick out a single player from HSC as a player of the game as almost everybody did well on the day combining as one single cohesive unit. There was barely any selfish play which helped HSC to spin the ball wide and stretch the Kandy defence.  

With the score reading 29/19 in favour of HSC, mid way in the second half one thought that Kandy was in with a chance. The HSC bench strength came to the fore and like the wedding feast in Cana, Galilee they saved the best for the last.  

For the record, I am advised that HSC last beat Kandy on 1995, which is a long time ago and thus the victory on Saturday, was all that much sweeter. As I left the park the party had already started and it would be foolish to even imagine that it would have ended before 6 a.m. on Sunday. For Kandy it must have been a long trek back home with plenty of time on the bus to reflect on what it feels like to miss out being crowned as league champs after a little over a decade of dominance.

The crowd at Havelock Park was one of the biggest that I have seen in many years if not the biggest. Finding a decent parking slot even at 3:30 p.m. was a nightmare and the authorities could do well in organising this aspect as well for spectator comfort and convenience. The music was loud and there was a general carnival atmosphere at the venue, with the papare bands adding to the glamour.

Malik, who has done such wonderful work for SL rugby in general and Kandy in particular, cut a very sad and forlorn picture quietly applauding the marauding HSC side. It must be noted and acknowledged that his contribution to Kandy rugby had definitely raised the bar in terms of performance by the local clubs, so much so that Kandy was the team to beat.

On Friday Army taught the red shirts a trick or two as they piled up the points in extra quick time. CR simply made up the numbers on the day and was in awe as Army ran the ball wide on every occasion with points on the board for their efforts. In the second half CR put in a better performance and there was a resemblance of at least a token fight back. Having an expatriate referee for such an inconsequential game to my mind was a waste. Unless of course the same was done to please the Army as they were apparently denied a vital victory in the first round.

The All Blacks staved off a stiff challenge by the Wallabies to win the opening game of the Rugby Championship as well as round one of the Bledisloe cup. The Wallabies game was strewn with many unforced errors and that cost them the game. The All Blacks were clinical in defence and daring in attack with some superb running and great support play by the forwards.

SA made light work of new entrants Argentina, and thus Argentina cannot be seen as serious contenders this year. It will be in the interest of the other three teams to gain bonus points against Argentina as a single loss could set the cat amongst the pigeons.



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