CR ends 26 year-old League drought; beats defending champs Kandy

Pix by Lasantha Kumara 

• Inter Club Rugby League final: CR and FC 33 points; Kandy SC 25 points

By Shamseer Jaleel 

CR and FC ended an unbeaten season when they won the Inter Club Rugby League 2023/2024 when they beat the defending champions, Kandy Sports Club by 33 points (5 tries, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) to 25 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) at Longdon Place in front of a packed house last evening.

Amidst an electric atmosphere, both teams showcased their unwavering determination and skill, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory. Over the course of the enthralling encounter CR and FC managed to secure the win plus remain unbeaten this season.

At the short breather it was Kandy who led 13/6. 

CR last won the league under Viraj Prashanth in 1998 thus ending a wait for 26 long years.

The game was contested at a very good pace with both teams using their three quarter line. For CR their number 8, Lasindu Karunathilake, Skipper Sayuru Anthony, Chathura Seneviratne, Adeesha Weerathunge and Gemunu Chethiya played their hearts out with some superb attack and defence. In fact Lasindu Karunathilke playing as pack leader had a grand outing.

A few good momentums by CR in the initial half was spoiled through aimless kicking which cost them the points but in the second half it was totally a different game, they did everything correct and saved their energy for the later part of the game.

Kandy, their shock defeat at home against CR put them down in their confidence Level.

Tarinda Ratwatte, Dinal Ekanayake and Kavindu Perera stood out for the Kandy outfit in three quarter play while in forwards play Sanushka Abeywickrema, Lasith Attanagoda and Jason Dissanayake stood out giving some solid cover defence. Kandy lacked in their line out wins where they even could not win their own throw in’s which put them under severe pressure. Plus few yellow card offences also put them on the back foot.

CR drew first blood in the 10th minute of the game through Chathura Seneviratne penalty but Kandy hit back soon through Tarinda Ratwatte penalty. Kandy scored their first try through a forwards rush in the 23rd minute of the game through Lasith Attanagoda who powered his way through. Tarinda Ratwatte added the extras to take 10/3 lead. Kandy increased their lead further through another Tarinda Ratwatte penalty. On stroke of half time Chatura Seneviratne was on target with a penalty kick for CR to cut the deficit to 7 points.

After the turn around CR played better open rugby through Adeesha Weerathunge who scored Red Shirts first try of the game. Chatura Seneviratne added the extras to equal the scores at 13 a-piece. Kandy coming in to CR territory saw Tarinda Ratwatte brushed aside few CR defenders to touch down for a try.

Soon afterwards CR hit back through Raveen de Silva try to equal the scores this time at 18 a-piece. Another CR kick deep in to Kandy territory saw a lucky bounce towards former Joes player, Gemunu Chethiya who touched down unmarked. Manilka Ruberu who took over the kicking duties from Chatura missed both the try conversions. Kandy once again took the lead through their dashing Dhanushka Ranjan try. But the lead was short lived as the Red Shirts hit back with two more tries by Randy Silva and Lasindu Karunathilake. Thenuka Nanayakkara missed both try conversions. CR missed 8 points through 4 try conversions.

Referee Raveen Alexander

In the Women’s encounter though Army SC beat Navy SC 12/7, Sailors managed to win the overall trophy in their group matches.