Kandy melt as CR’s steam engine powers to 38-26 win

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR&FC) produced thunder at the Nittawela Stadium yesterday (January 21) when it ended Kandy SC’s unblemished run in the Inter-Club league rugby tournament with a smashing 38-26 win in front of a packed Sunday crowd.

Kandy were found wanting in both halves as CR & FC knocked the stuffing out of the Nittawela side scoring at will throughout the game. CR & FC produced six tries in all against Kandy’s four touchdowns and led 26-7 at the short whistle of referee Gihan Yatawara, who many thought controlled this game well with his bold decision making.

Kandy were shocked from the start as CR scored with the kickoff with the first touchdown coming from Manilka Ruberu. The others who scored for the winners in the first half were Adeesha Weerathunga, Gemunu Chethiya and scrum half Kavindu Costa, whom perhaps scored the try of the match. Kandy’s only try in the first half came through Tharinda Ratwatte who played his heart out for the host team in both halves.

Kandy SC showed some promise after the ‘turn around’ and produced two tries through Tharindu Chathuranga and Nigel Ratwatte. With both tries being converted Kandy were breathing behind the backs of CR with the score reading 26-21 in favour of the red shirts.

But CR & FC produced a burst of tries in the last ten minutes of the game with touchdowns coming from Weerathunga (His second) and last year’s schoolboy sensation Kushan Tharindu.

Kandy earned a consolation try in the dying minutes of the game too through Dinal Ekanayake before the referee blew ‘no side’.

The game had several stoppages due to fighting between players and once when a bottle was thrown at an assistant referee, running along the touch line. The atmosphere was tensed right till the very end of the game.

On Friday (January 19) Havelock Sports Club fed it’s hopes of finishing among the top four teams this season by demolishing Navy SC 39-26 in a keenly contested division 1 match of the Inter-Club league rugby tournament at Havelock Park.

Havelock SC outplayed their opponents in the first half, but Navy fought back and created a tremendous impact in the second half to score three glorious tries and apply pressure on the host team. The host team led 29-7 at half time.

Havelock SC were in a dominant mood from the kick off itself and collected their points through six tries, three conversions and a penalty while Navy responded with four tries and three conversions. The player to watch in the Havies side was Stephen Sivaraj who excelled during loose play and also whenever he put boot to ball. He scored a brilliant try as well.

On Saturday (January 20) Police SC did well to down a spirited Air Force SC outfit by 34 points to 22 in their division I encounter played at Police Park. The winners collected their points through five tries, three conversions and a penalty while the visitors collected their points through three tries, two conversions and a penalty. Police led 14-10 at the breather.