Kandy sink Navy with half-century

Kandy SC centre Dhanushka Ranjan makes a powerful run with support coming in from Gayan Weeraratne

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy 50 Points Navy 22 points

Kandy Sports Club scored a convincing 50 points (6 tries, 4 conversions, 4 penalties) to 22 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) win over Navy in an important club rugby league match which concluded at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.

At halftime the winners led 28-10.

The game was played at a hectic pace with both sides dishing out excellent rugby in this encounter. Kandy dominated proceedings with some threatening moves. Their side played impressively with the return of star flyhalf Fazil Marija. He was excellent in defence and attack. He dummied his way for several threatening moves along with Dhanushka Ranjan and Richard Dharmapala. 

Ranjan was in peak form in this outing, threatening through several powerful runs which the sailors had no answer for. He beat the sailors’ defence on two occasions. 

Dharmapala too came into top form, combining well with Marija and Ranjan for some good moves. Fullback Thilina Wijesinghe too made his mark with some touch kicks which gained a lot of good territory for the home team. This put the sailors under severe pressure playing in their own half. His kick at goal too was very accurate. In forwards’ play both Sayuru Anthony and Yakoob Ali stood with some powerful play.

For the sailors, centre Lee Keegale, forward Sathya Ranathunga and fullback Thilina Weerasinghe stood out.

Kandy drew first blood in the fourth minute when Dhanushka Ranjan dummied his way for a try. Three minutes later Navy conceded a penalty for holding onto the ball, which Kandy fullback Thilina Wijesinghe converted. But Navy reduced the deficit through fullback Thilina Weerasinghe’s penalty.  A Thilina Wijesinghe penalty and a try from Fazil Marija gave Kandy an 18-3 lead. Then it was time for a solo try by winger Richard Dharmapala, who was playing at his best as he kicked, chased and touched down for an excellent try. 

Thilina Wijesinghe added the extra two points. Navy, who worked their line, all of a sudden made a powerful run through a three quarter move to touch down through centre Saliya Handapangoda. Fullback Thilina Weerasinghe made a beautiful conversion to cut the deficit to 25-10. Kandy added one more penalty through Thilina Wijesinghe to have the score reading 28-10 at halftime.

After the turnaround, Navy scored through Lee Keegale and Thanuja. Tharindu Weerasinghe converted one of the tries. Kandy scored their tries through Buwanka Udangamuwa, Shehan Pathirana and Dhanushka Ranjan.  Wijesinghe converted two of the tries. The match was refereed by Sam Jones from Australia. Kandy claimed second position in the league and now lie one point behind Havelocks, who continue to lead in tandem.