Second half rally takes Kandy through

By Shamseer Jaleel

After a close first half, Kandy bounced back strongly, capitalising on CR mistakes early in the second half to beat them by 53 points (seven tries, six conversions, one penalty, one drop goal) to 29 points (four tries, three conversions, one penalty) winning their Inter-Club Rugby League encounter which concluded at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on Sunday.

At the short breather the scores were level at 22 apiece.

Both teams dished out fast open rugby in the first half with the Red Shirts looking much more organised in their approach of play. The game which was played at hectic pace saw both sides showing their willingness to use their speedy three quarter line. For CR, it was once again their centre Tharinda Ratwatte who had a grand outing. He was simply omnipresent and magnificent in whatever he did. He attacked, defended and converted and his support play was far above the rest. At one time of the game it was like it was Tharinda against Kandy. He was well supported by Omalka Guanratne and Ishan Noor who stood out for the visitors along with Kavindu Perera.

For Kandy, it was their full back, Tharindu Wijesinghe who claimed plenty of territory advantage for the up country outfit, allowing them to attack in their opponent’s half most of the second half. While in attack he joined the three quarter line on most occasions which looked dangerous in attack opening up gaping holes in their opponent’s defensive line. He was well supported by centre Dhanushka Ranjan, as well as wingers Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and Richard Dharmapala. Their hooker Mohamed Ali, who was in the starting line up, was lightning fast on the loose ball. Rock solid number eight Buwanaka Udangamuwa too was threatening in Kandy attacking moves.

Kandy drew first blood in the very first minute of the game when their winger Richard Dharmapala kicked, chased and scored in front of a shocking CR side. Full back Tharindu Wijesinghe was on target with the kick at goal. CR reduced the deficit through a Tharinda Ratwatte penalty. Then came the solo try from the former Trinity skipper Ratwatte who kicked, chased and scored beautifully. He missed the conversion but CR took the lead 8-7. Ten minutes later through another lightning move with the ball changing hands, Tharinda scored his second try of the game. Full Back Prince Chamara added the extra two points. Kandy full back Thilini Wijesinghe reduced the gap with a penalty. Kandy equalised through a move which went in to six phases ending in their winger Vishwamithra Jayasinghe touching down. Scores were deadlocked at 15 apiece. Then there was time for one more try by both teams. CR scored through winger Kavindu Perera while Kandy touched down through Sayuru Anthony to take lemons at 22 apiece. Kandy centre Dhanushka Ranjan took his individual tries to nine this season with two in this outing.

After the turn around, CR did not settle down early. The first ten minutes of the second half they made mistakes, conceded three converted tries and never recovered from that and lost the focus in the game. The gap of 21 points was too much for a fight back as they ran out of time as well. Kandy scored through Ranjan (2), Mohamed Ali, and Dhanushka Dyan. Tharindu Wijesinghe kicked all three accurately and put over a neat drop goal. CR scored their only try in the second half through Ashan de Costa.

Referee Aruna Rankothge had good control over the game, the encounter was played in good spirit between the two teams with no yellow cards been shown.

Assistant referees – Priyantha Gunaratne, Muthumala

Match Commissioner – Tuan Dole

Citing officer – Ibrahim Hamid