Kandy trounces Army

• Kandy SC- 37 Points; Army SC- 10 Points

Kandy Number 8 Koto Pongi on the attack while Randika Alwis and Rehan Weerakoon try to stop his move

Kandy prop forward Pimui Manchanayake on the move

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Nittawela Kandy outclassed Army in their return leg of the inter-club rugby tournament, winning by 37 points (5 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties) to 10 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) at the Nittawela rugby stadium last evening. At halftime Kandy led 18-10. The game was played at a rapid speed. Unfortunately, Army got their options wrong from the kick-off. They went for the man instead of the ball. This resulted in several warnings for their players and their Fijian player Mesake Baisaele being red-carded for a late and high tackle on Kandy’s Buwanaka Udanagamuwa, who was outstanding in attack. The home team took advantage of this and played according to their plan. Kandy found gaping holes in Army’s weak defense. Their fly-half and star player Fazil Marija had a grand game, not only scoring one try but initiating a number of try-scoring moves. Their overseas players Tongan Koto Pongi and Kenyan Oscar Ouma played their hearts out along with Chris Colette, who was a maestro in loose play. For the Soldiers, their winger Shashan Mohamed was threatening in his moves with his lightning speed. In defense too he was high-class with some cover tackles which kept Kandy away from scoring freely. The Soldiers second row Randika Alwis and Rehan Weerakoon too enjoyed a good game. Kandy drew first blood early as during the very first minute of the game Buwanka Udangamuwa was tackled late by Fijian Baisaele. Kandy scrum-half Roshan Weeraratne was on target with a 25-meter penalty kick. Seven minutes later through loose play, Army winger Sheshan Mohamed collected the ball and ran more than 60 meters for a solo try. Fullback Gayan Salinda added the extra two points. Ten minutes later Roshan Weeraratne reduced the deficit through another 30-meter penalty kick. Then came Kandy’s first try through winger Anurudha Wilwara, who dashed through the Army defense to touch down and push the lead to 11-7. Soon afterwards the Kandyan line was caught offside with Army flyhalf Rehan Weerakoon being on target with a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 11-10. But Kandy Number 8 Koto Pongi had other ideas, planting a try right under the posts. Roshan Weeraratne converted to head into lemons with the score reading 18-10 in favouring of the home team. After the turnaround it was one-way traffic as Kandy scored three unanswered tries through Oscar Ouma, Lavanga Perera and Fazil Marija. Roshan was on target on two occasions. Kandy will travel to Colombo to meet Havies on 7 March and then host Navy in their last game on 15 March. Referee - Pradeep Fernando Match Commissioner - Tuan Dole CMO - Anil Jayasinghe Citing Officer - Wimal Perera Pix by Mohamed Shafeek