Thursday, 26 March 2015 01:46
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By Shamseer Jaleel
Kandy SC - 22 Points
CR&FC - 7 Points
Kandy advanced to the final of the Clifford Cup knockout rugby tournament when they overcame a determined CR&FC outfit for a 22 points (2 goals, 1 try, 1 penalty) to 7 points (1 goal) win at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.
At halftime Kandy led 7-0. Although a close battle was expected it was not to be as the Red Shirts could not finish their attacks. Kandy for their part defended very well.
Their pack was led by Sean Wijesinghe, who had a good game both in defense and attack. The Kandy three-quarters looked threatening. Their Kenyan Centre Oscar Ouma played his heart out, splitting the CR&FC defence with his powerful runs. Fly-half Fazil Marija too played well along with centre Richard Dharmapala and winger Anurudha Wilwara.
CR missed two penalties through Kanchana Ramanayake.
Kandy drew first blood in the 15th minute of the game when Centre Richard Dharmapala split the CR defense to score. Scrum Half Roshan Weeraratne was on target with the conversion. Six minutes later Weeraratne missed a penalty kick at goal. Then ten minutes later Oscar Ouma was taken off the field due a cut just above his eye. On the stroke of half time Ramanayake missed his fourth penalty kick at goal.
After the turnaround Weeraratne put Kandy ahead with a 30-meter penalty kick. Then a few minutes later Wilwara scored near the left corner flag through a move brimming with blinding speed.
Weeraratne then added the extra two points. Marija provided the next try, covering nearly 30 meters to touch down for a try. Kandy kept attacking CR&FC but the Red Shirts’ defense was rock solid and did not allow a try for nearly 20 minutes. Then CR&FC scored in the last minute of the game through Arun Kumara. Nuwan Kumara added the two points to cut the deficit to 15 points.
The game was refereed by Pradeep Fernando. The touch judges were Sarath Madugalle and Aruna Rankothge. Kandy will lock horns with Police on 28 March at the Clifford Cup final at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.
