Friday Jul 05, 2024
Friday Jul 05, 2024
Monday, 20 January 2020 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Havies skipper Mithun Hapugoda dances his way through in the later half
Kandy SC skipper Nigel Ratwatte is tackled by Havies flanker Shaukat Lahir
By Shamseer Jaleel
Defending league and the only unbeaten team after the completion of round one, Kandy Sports Cub put up a brave initial 10 minutes with 12 points under their belt, defended later on and survived at Havelock Park with a 22/12 win over the Park Club in the last first round league encounter which was worked off under lights with a packed house.
At the short breather Kandy led 12/5.
Kandy started with a burst of the initial 10 minutes and played like a Fijian sevens outfit to rattle the Havies. They ran riot to which the Park Club lads did not have an answer. A try each from rock solid number 8 Buwanaka Udangamuwa and Buddhima Piyaratne told the story of the evening.
Tharinda Ratwatte, after missing out an under-the-posts conversion kick, hit back with accuracy in the later one. Then the home team hit back, slowing down the game and playing with their heavy sets of forwards. Their flanker, Shaukat Lahir, Dayan Sabar, Chamikara and Naveen Heenakankanmge played their hearts out.
Meanwhile Kandy playing with a lead for 10 minutes too felt the Colombo heat and humidity at Havelock Park though the game was played under lights. Their forwards were terrific winning some turnovers. Sayuru Anthony, Shehan Pathirana and Damith Dissanayake stood out for them. Roshan Weeraratne too played a grand game was replaced by experienced Srinath Sooriyabandara later on. Nigel Ratwatte led his tropes well with support coming in from Buddhima Piyaratne, Kavindu Perera and Tharinda Ratwatte. Line-outs for both the teams did not reach the required mark.
Havies hit back through a Keshan Kavinda try when a lose pass was grabbed, dummied and scored the first Park Club try. Both fullback Danushka Dyan and Buddhima Piyaratne were leaving Kavinda for the other person to tackle.
Fullback Prince Chamara missed a sitter penalty 35 m in front of the posts. The missed five points through a penalty and try conversion put the pressure back on to the home team. But Kandy always stood up as the better team through their experience compared to the Havies who lost as many as eight players to other Colombo clubs this season.
Hats off to Havies as many of their players were less experienced than the champions but played a brave game slowing down not allowing the Up Country team to run at their pace and control. The high ball under lights was a tester for the Kandy lads who do not have that luxury in the Hills.
Tharinda Ratwatte increased the lead further through a 30 m penalty. Kandy who kept attacking never lost the grip in the game. After another breezy three-quarter move their winger Kavindu Perera touched down. A difficult angle accurate conversion by Tharinda Ratwatte took Kandy in to a 22/5 lead.
Park Club never gave up they played well with their forwards with Mithun Hapugoda coming later in the second half with some dummies and powerful moves but lacked the support from the tired legs of the Park Club. Shaukat Lahir who had a grand outing touched down Havies’ second try. Sandesh Jayawickrema was on target with the kick at goal.
Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen had a grand game controlling and guiding both teams very well.
Police settle for a draw
Police Sports Club had to settle for 26 apiece draw against the Solders away at Welisara.
Sachith Silva and Fijian Emosi Vunivosa touched down early tries. Nalin Kumara was on target with both kicks. But the home team hit back through two quick tries by Danushka Talwatte and Tomasi their Fijian. Sachith Gamage converted both to equalise the scores.
Another Tomasi try and Ashan Bandara conversion gave the Solders 21/14 lead. Emosi’s created try was scored by Pavithra and Nalin Kumara conversion took both teams at 21 apiece at the short breather.
The second half lacked action compared to the first, as both teams seemed to play it safe with their sights set on a win. Sudarak Dikkumbura try took the home team in to a five-point lead. Edisuriya try took the Cops on level terms with the Solders at 26 apiece.
The last 15 minutes though both teams tried their level best to score failed. The game saw many yellow cards for unwanted play by both teams going for the man instead of the ball.
Air Force shock CH
The last placed team in the league Sri Lanka Air Force shocked a much fancied CH & FC outfit 39/22 at Ratmalana.
Air Force scored their first try through James, their Fijian, with Charith Senanayake adding the extras. Arshad Jamaldeen the former Royal skipper put over a penalty for CH. The home team went further ahead through courtesy of two penalty kicks by Charith Senanayake.
CH scored their first try through former Trinity centre Warren Weerakoon. Air Force Fijian James touched down his second try and Iddamalgoda conversion took the home team in to comfort at 20/8. Minutes before the short breather James scored his hat-trick to take the lead further at 27/8 favouring the home team.
After the turn around Nuwan Perera scored a solo and converted by self. CH Skipper Rohitha Rajapaksa who never gave up scored a good try and Jamaldeen made a superb difficult angle kick at goal. Nizran Nilar try and Jamaldeen conversion took the scores to 34/22 giving a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
All CH hopes for a bounce back for dashed with Ramzan Amit scoring the last Air Force try.
Referee Kelum Sandaruwan
CR edge past Navy
CR & FC pulled off a hard fought 27/24 win over the visiting Sailors at Longdon Place.
At the short breather the home team led 17/10.
CR scored their tries through Reza Rafaideen and Janidu Dilshan. Reza did the kicking duties for the Red Shirts with three try conversions and two penalties while for the Sailors their tries were scored by Gihan Perera, Charith Silva and Thanuja. Isuru Knogahawatte did kicking for the Welisara outfit.
Kandy SC lead the points table after the completion of round 1 with 40 points followed by Police (29), Havies (28), CR & FC (27), Navy SC (15), Army SC (15), CH & FC (10) and Air Force (7). With a lead of 11 points plus three vital home games in round two against, Havies, Police and CR back in the Hills Kandy look set to continue holding on to the league for a record 6th consecutive year at Nittawela.
Referee Priyantha Gunaratne
Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya
