Dialog Rugby League 2017/2018 Unimpressive win by Kandy

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league champions Kandy recorded an unimpressive 23-6 win over CH&FC at the Race Course rugby grounds last weekend.

At halftime the upcountry outfit led 20-3.

Though Kandy never looked like the side which would be beaten, it was a lion-hearted performance by the CH&FC outfit, which included some top-class former players who crossed over from Navy. Sathya Ranathunge and Lee Keegale were outstanding both in defence and attack. Kandy’s forwards displayed good quality rugby through Damith Dissanayake, Sayuru Amthony, Yakoob Ali and Shehan Pathirana. The difference between the two sides was the three quarter line of Kandy, which looked threatening with the ball on attack. Both Dhanushka Ranjan and Anurudha Wilwara’s swift breaks were a constant threat, occurring in the fading light in which the game was played. In fact the game was called off by referee Dinka Peiris seven minutes before its scheduled end.

Kandy fullback Thilina Wijesinghe was on target with a penalty kick for Kandy. Dhanushka Ranjan was unstoppable, as he broke through a tired CH defense to touch down close to halftime. Thilina added the extra points to secure a 10-0 lead. Former Antonian fullback Samuel Maduwantha put CH on the board through a clean 45-meter penalty kick. Another penalty kick from Thilina and Anurudha Wilwara, who broke free after getting past as many as five CH players, lifted Kandy to a dominant 20-3 lead at halftime.

After the turnaround CH reduced the deficit through a Samuel Maduwantha penalty.

There was time for one more penalty by Thilina Wijesinghe and Samuel Maduwantha to end the game on 23-6 in favour of the defending champions but all credit should be given to the new look CH outfit under the watchful eyes of Samoan Laga, who is no stranger to Sri Lankan rugby. Kandy had two yellow cards given to Nigel Ratwatte and Heshan Kalhara while CH’s offender was Mohamed Rifkhan.

Havies dispatch Police

Havelocks SC, coming out for the first time this season under former Josephian player Jason Melder and new head coach Sanath Martis, sounded a warning to all the top clubs with an easy 36-0 win over Police under the lights of Havelock Park.

Hooker Prasad Madushanka scored the first try for Havelocks with Reza Mubarak finding the mark with the conversion for his new club.

Burly Prop forward Dushmantha Priyadarshana accounted for the second park club try with Reza on target with the kick at goal. Reza, who was on target with his first penalty for Havies, had the team heading into halftime leading 17-0.

After the turnaround Havelocks scored through skipper Jason Melder, Mubarak and Kevin Dixon. Mubarak kept his flawless kicking record by not missing on any of his attempts. The last kick at goal was attempted by Dulaj Perera, which was unsuccessful.  Sharo Fernando was yellow-carded for Havelocks.