Kandy overcome Havies in thriller

Monday, 9 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kandy playmaker Chris Colette on attack with support from hooker Damith Dissanayake and scrumhalf Roshan Weeraratne

Kandy scrumhalf Roshan Weeraratne on attack By Shamseer Jaleel Kandy, who are all out to reclaim the inter-club league title after a lapse of two years, moved one step closer to achieving this when they got the better of Havelocks by 22-20, in a nail-biter at Havelock Park. Havies were leading 20-14 and cruising to a win and sweet revenge for their 25-24 first round loss at Nittawela. However, this dominance was short-lived as Kandy fly-half Arshard Jamaldeen executed a neat drop goal after missing three penalties and one conversion earlier in the game. This reduced the gap for Kandy to three points. Then Kandy manufactured a sweet move when Kenyan Oscar Ouma ploughed his way over nearly 30 meters and Kandy was just short by about five meters to score. Through a forwards rush it was replacement prop forward Kishore Jahn who went over for a try and gave Kandy a 22-20 win. There was something very similar in the first and second leg games between these two top teams in the league. In the initial leg the last conversion kick was not taken when overjoyed Kandy supporters entered the playing area. The second leg saw a delay in bringing a kicking tee to the ground cost Kandy another possible two points. Kandy were playing without Fazil Marija, Koto Pongi and Gayan Weeraratne, who were all out due to injury. Both Marija and Pongi will recover in time for their final game against Navy on 15 March at Nittawela. Taking a look at both teams, Havies played with better coordination between their three quarters and forwards. Dulaj Perera, Danushka Ranjan, Sandun Herath and Rehan Thiagaraja had threatening outings which kept the Kandy three quarters on the back foot for most of the game. For Kandy it was their skipper Sean Wijesinghe, Roshan Weeraratne and South African Chris Colette who posed constant danger. In the decision-making department Havies looked a yard faster than their opponents, who took too much time which allowed their opponents to settle down fast. In the other league encounter CR&FC edged out Sri Lanka Air Force 17-13 at Ratmalana during the weekend. This encounter saw former Trinity skipper Tharinda Ratwatte making his club debut for the Red Shirts. Now all roads lead to Nittawela on 15 March when the two top teams and main rivals in the inter-club league competition, Navy and Kandy, battle it out to win the final game and league title. A minimum of a draw is required for Kandy to keep their fans happy and they are sure to see a packed stadium next Sunday. A foreign referee will officiate this game. Pix by Mohamed Shafeek