KANDY ANNIHILATE CR AND FC
Clifford Cup semi-final
Defending League and Clifford Cup champions, Kandy Sports Club defeated CR and FC by 56 points (nine tries, four conversions and one penalty) to 16 points (one try, one conversion and three penalties) in their Clifford Cup Knock-out Rugby Tournament first semi-final encounter played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy yesterday.
At the breather Kandy SC led 27-9.
Kandy SC’S three quarters were at their peak once again and Dhanushka Ranjan was a major threat for the Red Shirts.
He was well supported by Richard Dharmapala, Fazil Marija Gayan Weeraratne and Vishwamithra Jayasinghe.
For CR and FC, their rock solid Number 8, Omalka Gunaratne had a tremendous game and it took nearly two to three players to bring him down.
CR and FC centre Tharinda Ratwatte was given a Red Card for a dangerous tackle on Kandy SC Skipper Roshan Weeraratne and the CR played one man less during the latter stages.
But it was CR and FC who scored first through a Nalin Kumara penalty in the third minute of the game.
Five minutes later Kandy SC hit back through a Sayuru Anthony try which was converted by full back Tharindu Wijesinghe.
Both Nalin Kumara and Tharindu Wijesinghe put over a penalty each for their respective sides to make it 10-6 in favour of Kandy SC.
Then Kandy SC broke free in scoring back-to-back tries through Damith Dissanayake and Dhanushka Ranjan.
CR and FC reduced the lead through Nalin Kumara’s third penalty but there was time for a Vishwamithra Jayasinghe try before half time.
After the turnaround, Kandy SC scored through Richard Dharmapala, Danushka Dyan, Dhanushka Ranjan (2) and Yakoob Ali.
For CR and FC Omalka Gunaratne scored their only try which was converted by Ashan De Costa.
Referee: Julien Castaignede (France)