Second half burst takes Kandy through against CH

Tuesday, 6 February 2024 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asiri Seneviratne of Kandy SC is held by a CH player with support coming in from Soori

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending League champions showed what’s experience is all about when they came back from 12/18 down to beat the CH and FC by 32 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties) to 24 points

(2 tries, 1 conversion, 4 penalties) win at Race Course in one of their key Inter Club Super Round encounters last weekend.

Kandy as usual showed the steamy Colombo is not to their likings as they come from cooler climate and were given a tough time by the home team. But coming in to the latter half with their replacement and pacing out the entire 80 minutes plus Srinarth Sooriyabandara and Tarinda Ratwatte brilliance took them home with safety and keep their hopes alive for the league with a game against Havies and CR and FC left to be played in Colombo in the coming weeks.

Kandy drew first blood in the 5th minute of the game through a Jason Dissanayake try but CH hit back soon afterwards through Nirosh Perera. Wajid Fahmy try and Tarinda Ratwatte conversion took them into a 12/5 lead. Janith Laksara scored CH’s second try and Hirusha Sampath conversion put the scores at 12 apiece. Two more penalties by the former Kingswoodian, Hirusha Sampath took CH into the lead 18/12 at the short breather.

After the turn around once more Hirusha Sampath who was in sparkling form put over another two penalties to stretch the lead 24/12 favouring CH.

Nippy and experienced Srinath Sooriyabandara found the gaping holes in CH defence to touch down for a superb try for the Kandy SC. Once the try was scored, a high shot was given by CH play maker, Hirusha Sampath who received a yellow card offence. With this moment onwards the game changed favouring the champion outfit who showed what is experience all about in club rugby. Tarinda added the extra 2 points to reduce the gap to 5 points. One man less CH saw the Kandy playmaker handing them off and scored the next Kandy try and conversion took them to 26/24 lead. Another two more penalties by Tarinda Ratwatte took Kandy home not only with a win but also with a bonus point which could be vital in the end to decide on the league.

Referee was Aruna Shantha.