Kandy scrapes through

By Shamseer Jaleel

It was a close call for defending champions Kandy Sports Club at Welisara when they had to put in major effort in order to beat Army SC 36-26. This was the club’s 10th win out of the same number of matches, and they remain the only unbeaten outfit in the league with four matches remaining. At the short-breather, Kandy led 26-12.

National player Sudaraka Dikkumbura drew first blood for the Army outfit very early in the game. Isuru Madagedara added the extra two points but Kandy hit back sooner in the eighth minute of the game through speedy winger Kavindu Perera to touchdown for an easy conversion for Tharinda Ratwatte. Jason scored his first try minutes later for Tharinda to add the extras. 

Kandy played minus their skipper, Nigel Ratwatte, who is injured and likely to miss out on the Sailors’ game. He was replaced by the experienced Srinarth Sooryabandara, who played well. Buddhim Piyaratne continued his good collection of tries this season when he scored his first one. Thari missed the conversion. Army SC reduced the deficit through a Dannushka Talwatte try but Kandy hit back on the stroke of half-time through some Tharinda Ratwatte magic, which sent Jason Dissanayake for his second try. At the short breather, it was 26-12, favouring Kandy.

Soon after the break, former Vidyartha and National Player Jason Dissanayake went over for his hat-trick of tries. Their Fijian player, Tomasii Caqasau, scored his first try with Medagedera adding the extras for a glimmer of hope for the Soldiers at 19-31. 

Soori was given a yellow card for a high tackle but the Soldiers never took advantage of the situation. They, too, lost Dikkumbura to a rough play.

Tharindu Chaturanga, who holds a super defence, scored his first try of the match to take Kandy to the lead with 36-19. Sachin Gamage added the extras.

Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen

Title hopes fade away for Havies

Police Sports Club ended the Havies’ hope of reclaiming the league with a good 34-28 win over the Park Club, whose deficit increased to 23 points. Now only CR&FC have a chance to reclaim the league, but it would have to be through a miracle as Kandy will need to lose at least three of the four remaining games, which is an unlikely event. Havies led 16-15 at the short breather.

Police SC scored through Shan Akila, Rasith Silva, Yohan Peiris, Primesh Danushka, and Suranga Kasun. Conversions were carried out by Yohan Peiris while Janith Chandimal put over the two penalties.

Meanwhile for the Park Club, their tries were scored by Shawket Lahir, who had a grand game scoring a hat-trick with Sandesh Jayawickrema putting over two try conversions while the former Joes player Santhush Algama put over three penalties for Havies.

Referee Priyantha Gunaratne