20th league title for Kandy

Tuesday, 12 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Inter Club Rugby League 2018/2019

By Shamseer Jaleel

What a journey it has been in 2018/2019 rugby season for Kandy. Unlike other years, it was not one horse race. They had a difficult hurdle after losing out to Army at home, CH and Havies away which pushed them down to the number two position in the league after round two.

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Tournament Committee Chairman Rizly Ilyas should be commended for a well-structured tournament this year, adding one extra super round where the top four teams played each other to decide the final winner.

Kandy lost the battle but won the war in the end. They won their home game against Havies and lost out in the later round. But come the Super 4, the difference between both sides was missed conversions kick by Reza Mubarak. Had the game been drawn, Havies would have taken the league title to the Park as they had two points advantage over Kandy after round two.

Kandy Sports Club completed the 20th league title from 1994 where they won the first title for the Upcountry club. This was a late start by Kandy who accumulated 20 times winning the league title in a short span of 25 years.

Led by Richard Dharmapala, their three-quarter line was the best among clubs this season. Ranjan, Nigel, Lavanga, Oshan, Wilwara and Thilina all were well above average. Roshan Weeraratne operating from the base was a master in his own class. Forwards lost out on Buwanaka due to injury but was well supported by Sayuru, Yakoob, Shehan, Uchithra and Ashan who stood out for the Kandy Club.

Kandy SC was coached by former Trinitian and National fifteens skipper Sean Wijesinghe assisted by Fazil Marija who did their best. The presence of Nalaka Weerakody as kicking coach was an added advantage for the Upcountry club. Lasantha Wijesuriya as Rugby Chairman and Kapila Silva managing the team was a huge bonus for Kandy.

Malik Samarawickrema, the former Royal scrum-half, as usual operated from the base supporting with the required sponsorship which Kandy received through Cargills who was their main sponsors and new entrance Mobitel who had a late entry to Nittawela.

Richard Dharmapala (captain), Lavanga Perera, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Thilina Wijesinghe, Tharindu Chathuranga, Jason Dissanayake, Sayuru Anthony Damith Dissanayake, Sashika Jayawardene, Roshan Weeraratne, Heshan Kalhara, Ganuka Dissanayake, Yakoob Ali, Shehan Pathirana, Nigel Ratwatte, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Danushka Dyan, Chamika Perera, Danushka Ranjan, Ashan Darling, Uchithra Jayasuriya, Lasith Aththangoda, Heshan Jansen, Omantha Panthiywantha, Kelum Madusanka, Diluksha Dange, Malith Wijesundara, Mohamed Shabeer, Sanushka Abeyawickrema, Laskitha Ranaweera, Asitha Ratnayake

Head Coach Sean Wijesinghe

Assistant Coach Fazil Marija

Kicking coach Nalaka Weerakody

Rugby Chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya

Team Manager Kapila Silva

Masseur Mobie Perera

Support staff S. Kumar