Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Monday, 16 March 2015 03:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
With this encounter, though Kandy lost, they gained bonus point in this game to win the Inter Club League after a lapse of two years.
At the short breather it was Kandy who led 8/6.
It was a disorganised Kandy playing in front of their packed home crowd who came to witness some running rugby plus the Inter Club back at Nittawela Club House. Bu Kandy players achieved the second but failed to display a champion outfit in yesterday’s game. It was a good win for the Sailors after being beaten at Welisara in the first round encounter.
Kandy played well within themselves in the first half but lacked the finishing touches. Their scrum half RoshanWeeraratne had an off day, not only missing more than three penalties but his box kicks too were aimless. He lacked confidence and his defense too was far below expected standard.
For Kandy, their forwards displayed a good game led by skipper Sean Wijesinghe who was outstanding leading from the front. Their flanker Chris Colette who won the award for the highest try scorer in the Inter club league too was omnipresent but too aggressive at times. He was taken out due to a nosebleed. Tongan Koto Pongi played an average game which a local player could have matched easily.
For Navy it was prop Henry Trenece and second row forward Sharo Fernando playing their hearts out. Sailors’ scrumhalf SrinarthSooriyabandara was threatening, splitting the Kandy defence all over.
Kandy missed two penalties in the first and fifth minute of the game when RoshanWeeraratne was off target. Then in the seventh minute Kandy drew first blood when they worked their three quarter line ending with a beautiful try by flanker Chris Colette. Roshan failed with the kick at goal.
Four minutes later Navy SC reduced the lead when full back NuwanHettiarachchi was on target with a 30 metre penalty when Kandy line was caught off side. A few minutes later the Sailors took the lead through NuwanHettiarachchi’s second penalty. But Kandy SC took the lead with an easy RoshanWeeraratne penalty to 8/6. The last five minutes of the initial half saw Navy SC player Achala Perera ‘yellow carded’ for a high tackle on Nigel Ratwatte.
After the turnaround, Kandy missed one try when Koto Pongi knocked it on the try line. During this half NuwanHettiarachchi put over two penalties for the Sailors with Kandy replying with one through RoshanWeeraratne. In the last minute of the game Kandy was awarded with a 25 metre penalty mid right but Weeraratne was off target.
Referee – MarkJackson (UAE)
Touch Judges – PradeepFernando and Sarath Madugalle
