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Kandy stunned
Army 20 Kandy 19
By Shamseer Jaleel
Army Sports Club pulled off an exciting win over the defending Champions Kandy SC and ended their unbeaten run yesterday at Galle Face in one of the Caltex League first round matches. The soldiers won by 20 (2 goals, 2 penalties) to 19 (2 goals, 1 Try). At lemons the soldiers led 10-7.

The Soldiers exposed a number of chinks in Kandy's armour as they battled the defending league Champions with their ferocious tackling and being lightning fast on the loose ball. On the other hand Kandy SC played well below their best, dropping far too many passes and struggling to win their own line out balls.

Army drew first blood in the 10th minute when Kapila Knowlton dummied his way to score under the post for Sharm Pradeep to have an easy conversion.

Army went further ahead through a penalty by Pradeep.( Army 10, Kandy 0). Minutes later Chamara Vithanage brushed aside a few defenders to score under the post for an easy conversion. (Army 10-KSC-7).

The soldiers who completely dominated the scrums and line outs repeatedly punched holes in the weaker Kandy defence who were playing minus two of their regulars, Sajith Malikarachchi and Indrajith Bandaranayake through injuries.

Kandy SC's Fijian fly half who came in the second half gave them a glimmer of hope when he ran down the left to lead by 12-10. Army, as always among the most dangerous and exciting teams in the Tournament went ahead through a controversial second try which was scored by Duminda.

Apparently, the ball was held by Laga of Kandy SC, with Sharm Pradeep converting to give Army a lead by 17-12. The Soldiers Fly half Sharm Pradeep who had a grand game put over a penalty to increase the lead by (20-12).

Kandy who were running out of time looked dangerous in attack failed to capitalise on most of their opportunities scored through Navin Pullikutiarachchi. As Nalaka converted to cut the deficit to 20-19, Kandy SC who started running the ball from inside their own 22 covered almost 40 meters when Sanjeeva Jayasinghe was tackled high and a penalty was given. But Nalaka Weerakkody who is playing after injury missed the kick to give the soldiers a well earned victory before going back to their barracks.

Referee- Dilroy Fernando. Touch Judges- -Dinka Pieris and Irshad Mohamed.

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