Unbeaten Kandy retain league in tandem

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league and Clifford Cup champions, Kandy Sports Club stamped their class when they remained unbeaten in the 2016 inter-club season which concluded last weekend at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in front of a packed house.

This was the 19th occasion that Kandy will keep the title at their club house in Nittawela. The Kandy rebirth started in 1992 when a majority of their Kandy-born players returned to their hometown with the support of rugby promoter Malik Samarawickrama. Samarawickrama who played as a scrum half for Royal opted to open his garment business in the Central region where the majority of the players got employment as well.

The Navy ended the season on the number four position when they outplayed the last-placed CH&FC. The Sailors scored 12 tries and the CH outfit replied with only two. Though CH ended last, not being able to win a single match in their 14 outings, they ended the season without pulling out plus they played throughout without a proper sponsor.

Police SC edged out their closest rival Army SC 27-17 at the Police Park last weekend. Police dynamic number eight Bilal Hassen returned to the Cops outfit by scoring two tries. Police missed him through injury which also cost their ranking in the league. With ample talent available in their outfit they are a good enough side to end in the top three. Both Cops and the Soldiers will battle it out in one of the Clifford Cup quarter final encounters in one week.

Meanwhile, CR&FC narrowly beat the Air Force outfit 19-17 to claim the number three position in their last league encounter. CR fielded a second string team as majority of their players were carrying minor injuries who were rested for the Clifford Cup encounter which will kick off in 10 days. They missed out on skipper Ishan Noor, Shasan Mohamed, Arun Kumar and Tariq Salih. The “Red Shirts” too had an outstanding young outfit who were not consistent this season. They were a good side to end in the top two. Coached by Imthisam Marrikar, they will be looking to clinch the Clifford Cup knockout tournament this year. Air Force on their part ended only a yard faster than the CH&FC outfit to end on number seven.

Defending league champions Kandy SC showed why they are special when they dished out some excellent open rugby to down the second placed Havies 27-12. This was the up country side’s 14th win in tandem this season. Richard Dharmapala, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and Nigel Ratwatte were in peak form with lightning pace where the park club could not match up. Kandy SC lost nearly 10 points due to poor kicking but in the end covered it with five tries. Havies who opted to use their forwards played well in the first three quarters but ran out of steam in the last where the Kandy outfit broke free with two tries. Only Havies number eight Sudharshan Muththanthri was in excellent form but lacked support from the rest of the team. They also lost out on their regular skipper Sandun Herath and Dulaj Perera through injury.