Kandy back to top form

Kandy SC skipper Nigel Ratwatte passes the ball

• Kandy SC 64 points
• Army SC 19 points

By Shamseer Jaleel

Unbeaten Kandy Sports Club got back to their usual top form when they outclassed the previously unbeaten Army Sports Club by 64 points (9 tries, 8 conversions, 1 penalty) to 19 Points (3 tries, 2 conversions) at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. At the short breather, Kandy led 36 to 0.

Kandy dominated proceedings and got back to top form playing their last home match in round 1. They badly needed this win and get back to form before they travel to Colombo in tandem for their remaining first round matches. Their forwards and three quarters completely outplayed the opponents who came in as unbeaten for this game.

Kandy SC Centre Tharinda Ratwatte had a grand game. His defence was rock solid and his kick to touch was classy. In attack, it took more than one soldier to bring him down on more than one occasion. Kandy SC skipper Nigel Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, and Buddhima Piyaratne, too, enjoyed fine game in front of a packed stadium. Full back Thilina Wijesinghe kicking was a piece of class missing out on only one out of nine strikes at the goal.

For soldiers their Fijian Tomasi Cachusau was outstanding in attack but he lacked the much-needed support most of the time. It took more than one defender to stop him most of the time. Army full back Isuru Medagedera, scrum half Rizvi, and fly half Ashan Bandara stood out for the soldiers but the lead created by Kandy was too huge for a catch up in the game and to make a comeback.

Kandy drew first blood in the fourth minute of the game through their full back Thilina Wijesinghe scored the first try and converted same. It took only another six minutes for winger Kavindu Perera to touchdown through a beautiful move initiated by Tharinda Ratwatte. 

Kavindu Perera who was slightly injured was replaced by Danushka Dyan who played his first match for Kandy this season after his busy sevens schedule for the country. Kandy scored three more first half tries through Buddhima Piyarathne, Jason Dissnayake and Thilina Wijesinghe. Thilina was accurate in all three plus putting over a penalty to take the short breather at 36 to nothing.

After the turnaround, soldiers looked a better and a different outfit. They scored their first try through Cachusau. Gayan Salinda added the extra 2 points. But Kandy hit back in no time through Tharinda Ratwatte and Buddhima Piyarathne tries. Both were goaled by Thilina Wijesinghe. Army flanker Nalan Pramnath scored the visitors second try which was goaled by Salinda. But there was no stopping in Kandy tries where they scored for two more through Buddhima Piyarathne and Jason Dissanayake. The soldiers replied with a try through Thusitha Senananayke. This was the highest score for the season by any teams.

Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen

Kandy will travel down to Colombo to play Police SC on 21 December.