Kandy SC survive
Kandy SC weathered a superb second half rally from CR&FC in sweltering conditions to maintain their unbeaten record with a 41- 27 victory in a titanic clash between two unbeaten sides in week five of the Dialog Club Rugby League Championships at Longden Place yesterday.
The Kandy juggernaut seemed unstoppable as they powered to a 36-10 lead at the interval scoring five of their six tries in the first half. But CR virtually dominated the second half to take the fight to Kandy to score three tries and being awarded a penalty try to close the gap to 27-36.
However, Kandy skipper Nigel Ratwatte sealed the match with a classic corner flag try with ten minutes remaining to break CR hearts.
CR’s usually reliable place kicker Rizah Mubarak muffed a penalty attempt in the opening minutes of the game.
Kandy got into their stride quickly with centre Kavindu Perera drawing first blood against his former club in the sixth minute while full back Dansha Dayan scored the first of his two tries four minutes later. Tharinda Ratwatte made no mistake with the conversions and also knocked over a penalty as Kandy led 17-0 after 13 minutes of play.
Scrum half Roshan Weeraratne underlined Kandy’s dominance by intercepting a pass for a bonus try in the 19th minute which Ratwatte converted.
Mubarak put over a penalty for CR but Kandy replied instantly with another try by Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Dayan who played like a winger.
There was a ray of hope for CR after a period of phased out attacks when scrum half Kavindu de Costa streaked through a gap for their first try in the 36th minute which Mubarak goaled.
But Kandy despite being a man short with Tharindu Chathuranga being shown the yellow card hit back with a try by Jason Dissanayake under the posts with Ratwatte converting to give them a 36-10 cushion at half time.
Kandy’s game plan unravelled after the turn around and they appeared to run out of steam and lacked discipline with two more