Kicking the rest into submission

Having contributed a major share of the points in the game against CH Weerakkody took his kicking boots all the way back to Kandy. His performance against CR in the last match played at Nittawela was another of those efforts that has made him to be dubbed the King of Kandy rugby.

Sanjeewa Jayasinghe(left) has been one of Kandy’s main contributors. This year his performances has been outstanding. Pic. Shane Seneviratne

The contribution of Nalaka Weerakkody to his club always has been a factor that has been appreciated by the rugby lovers of Kandy. Nalaka who is a popular figure among rugby supporters has a love hate relationship among some. During the last two games he came out with a performance which would made even his distracters to turn and take notice. The drop goal put over by almost 60 metres out was something special. This is not what you would get the opportunity to see every day. Even those who love to taunt him did appreciate the effort on that day, which would stand out in any part of the world of rugby.

For those who saw the effort at Maitland Place it will be something to remember. He seemed to have not lost any of those skills of individual brilliance that takes it to make the difference. The Kiwi national coach Rob Yule who may have seen similar attempts in New Zealand admits that this is one wondrous effort he has seen. This effort is exceptional not only because of distance but also that it was from an angle. This is a good example of the individual skill of a very talented player. His talent not only changed the game for Kandy against CH but also did change the game against CR and FC. He did also show that he is capable of kicking over a drop goal whether it is using his right leg or the left.

Having contributed a major share of the points in the game against CH Weerakkody took his kicking boots all the way back to Kandy. His performance against CR in the last match played at Nittawela was another of those efforts that has made him to be dubbed the King of Kandy rugby. This is true when you consider his contribution to Kandy Sports Club and rugby in the hills.
Kandy assured of the championship did not have an easy passage with CR playing well for most of the game. It was they who drew first blood adding points on the board. They held the scores level with only about twenty minutes of the game left. One may have thought this game was of academic interest with neither side to gain in terms of the league standing. The teams being in this situation seemed to be more interested in moving the ball down the pitch. It resulted in open rugby which gave the spectator the thrill and excitement he would expect.

The flow of the game kept spectators happy with the ball being moved about at every given opportunity. The crowd at the venue as well as those glued to the TV did have a game that kept them interested. The handling was good and some of moves ended with many hands exchanging the ball. The margin of the scores not doing justice to the efforts of CR was a result of the last twenty minutes. This was a repetition of what happened against the CH and FC. The inability to hold onto that last leg of the journey to victory has been their undoing. Is it the mental or the physical skill required in that last twenty minutes that is making them lose what they could win?

The game proved to be a testing time of the skills of each other. These are two Teams who have always fought as bitter rivals. . Yet the concentration on the game was what was imminent. No room for that little extra which falls outside what the law allows. No room to earn that unnecessary yellow or the red card. The rugby was good and the fun was in enjoying the game. To CR I would say, it was a performance that they could be proud of despite losing. It gave them that confidence they need as the knock out stage is reached. They know they can do it. What finally made the difference was that one man who through his individual brilliance made the change in the game. While the one man made the difference in adding so many points to the score others played the part as expected from them. It was indeed the team effort that has helped Kandy to be where they are and that would take them to be where they are in the future too.

After all this you may expect will be rugby that will be entertaining as the teams take on each other in the Knock out tournament as well as the Presidents Trophy. Will it be another confrontation between Kandy and CR and FC for the crown or will it be CH and FC that will be there to take a shot. What ever it may be the game will be the winner.