Not a polished performance yet it was enough for Kandy to down CR
It wasn’t the most polished performance by the champions. Yet they did enough to score a 47 points (2 goals, 6 tries, 1 penalty) to 7 (1 goal) win over a CR&FC team that fought all the way through at Nittawela last evening. One expected the second half to be a bit more even as Kandy SC pulled out a few of their leading lights. But youngsters such as Tharindu Chanaka (doubling as full back and fly half) and newcomer Dhanishka Dayan who showed impressive speed on the wing, filled the breach admirably.
An early Weeraratne penalty put Kandy in the lead. But they were stunned a few minutes later when CR skipper Lasintha de Costa ran the length of the field to score and convert for CR to lead 7-3. In attempting to dump a try, the Kandy offender dropped the ball on the line and De Costa took advantage.
Kandy’s forwards now took over and pushed their opponents’ right back. Prop Latu Kiowa crashed through and scored. (Kandy 8-7). A high ball bounced right for centre Etuate Lohea who went over untouched. (13-7). Marja saw the ball at his feet and was over the line in a flash, for a half time score of 18-7.
Roshan Weeraratne, who seemed to have left his kicking boots at home, now came into the picture, scoring twice. He feinted a pass or two and sprinted thirty yards for his first score. Shortly after that he dived between the feet of an unsuspecting CR player to touch down again.
Lohea did the running for the next try, slicing through the middle for Oshan Perera to put the finishing touches.Tharindu Chanaka and Dhanishka Dayan scored the last two tries to bolster the final total. CR fought hard and tried several ploys to go over the line, especially when they were thereabouts for around eight minutes in the second half. But Kandy was able to ward off the threat and come back with a score.
Referee – Pradeep Fernando.
Up Country Lions win one sided game
In a one-sided battle the Upcountry Lions smashed Air Force Sports Club by 50-13 at Nawalapitiya. Upcountry Lions led 26-7 at the half time and scored from a tally of eight tries and five conversions. Air Force scored from a converted try and a penalty.
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