Kandy prevail over Havies in tensed battle

Monday, 8 January 2024 01:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kandy SC skipper Lavanga Perera is tacked by Havies player

Havies player Dinupa Seneviratne is held by Uchitha Jayasooriya of Kandy

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club, the defending league Champions, managed to pull off a hard-fought 27 points (4 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) to 22 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) win over Havelock Sports Club in their Inter Club League Rugby encounter, which concluded at Nittawela Rugby Stadium last evening.

At the short breather Kandy led 19/17.

Havies settled well earlier in the game with their forwards playing their hearts out against the champion outfit, Kandy SC. Their skipper Azmir Fajudeen, Abdullah Faiz, Shehan Diaz, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Samuel Maduwantha played some exciting rugby for the Park Club who put in everything but a win in the end. They wanted a comeback win especially against Kandy would have changed everything for them in the last five games of the season but it was not to be in the end.

Kandy took time to settle with Havies putting lot of pressure on them home. Closer to half time they lost out on their play maker, Tarinda Ratwatte for Yellow Card offence for a high tackle, during that time Havies made a bold comeback by scoring 10 points and entering in to the game. But it was the experienced three quarter line of Nigel Ratwatte, Danushka Ranjan, Tarinda Ratwatte and Srinarth Sooriyabandara stood out both in defence as well in attack splitting the Park Club all over within a span of 10 minutes scoring twice. In forwards play their hooker, Uchitha Jayasuriya played his heart out for the Kandy outfit.

Visitors who never gave up scored through a forwards rush when Shenal Silva touched down. Maduwantha added the extras after missing an early penalty attempt. But it took only a few minutes for Kandy to hit back through a sweeping three quarter move ending with their winger, Dinal Ekanayake touching down left corner flag. Tarinda Ratwatte made a difficult conversion to equal scores at 7 a-piece.

Kandy who stormed back to their usual running rugby when their other winger, Danushka Ranjan touched down right corner flag. Maduwantha who did not have his best of his kicking days missed another 45 meter penalty for Havies but Randitha Warnapura try and Maduwantha conversion took them ahead 14/12 in the game. Next it was Chathuranga Kudalige scoring for Kandy and Nigel Ratwatte converted to take the lead 19/14. On stroke of half Maduwantha penalty cut their deficit to 2 points.

After the turn around, Kandy played well in the initial 20 minutes of play with Tarinda Ratwatte putting over a penalty and Sooriyabandara classic try took Kandy to a comfort of 10 points lead but Havies who gave a torrid time for the Up Country lads by scoring a try through Dinupa Seneviratne. Havies put in lot of hard yards in the last 20 minutes but Kandy defence was rock solid never allowed the Park Club to cross for any more damages. This was Kandy SC’s 5th bonus point win out of five matches.

Referee was Gihan Yatawara.