Kandy survives

Monday, 21 January 2019 00:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kandy felt Buwanka Udangamuwa's presence upon his return to the side

Kandy was in a tense mode when their only club in town, the Kandy Sports Club, survived the last few minutes of their encounter against Police SC in Colombo with a 27/20 win. After their shocking defeat by the Soldiers, the defending champions will need to be on top in the rest of the games if there is to be any hope of a league retention at Nittawela.

Kandy played their full outfit with the return of Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Sayuru Anthony, Yakoob Ali and skipper Richard Dharmapala in the starting line-up after missing the Soldiers game at home.

Two Vishwamithra Jayasinghe tries and one by Lavanga Perera put Kandy in to the commanding position at 17/0. Police hit back through a Sachith Silva penalty. Though Kandy settled down in the early stages, Police made some vital errors where they could not convert their good work into points. They lost many. Police scored first through Rasith Silva, and Sachith Silva put over a difficult kick to reduce the deficit at 17/10. Buwanaka Udangamuwa, returning after a two-match rest due to his injury, was in peak form and powering his way through to score the next Kandy try. Thilina Wijesinghe was on target to take the score line 24/10 at the short breather.

Police came back in the later half through a Gihan Silva try.

Hashan Fernando scored next but both conversion kicks went astray. Police, four points down, almost scored. They covered nearly 60 metres and knocked it on the line. They tried all avenues but failed in the end. Kandy, who got out of jail at last, scored a penalty through Thilina to seal the game.

Referee Dinka Peiris

(SJ)