Kandy finally humble Navy at Welisara
South African magic prevailed over Fijian power when Kandy’s East London born Western Province flanker Chris Cloete single handedly powered his team to beat the defending champs Navy by 16 points (2 tries, 2 penalties) to 6 ( 2 penalties) in their own back yard at Welisara, in their first round encounter of the Dialog Sponsored ‘A’ Division inter club league encounter.
Kandy who produced a stunning show scored their points from two tries courtesy Cloete and two penalties while Navy could only reply with two penalties, one in each half.
South African power-horse Chris Cloete played a pivotal role in Kandy SC’s win against the Sailors - Pix by Amila Gamage
Navy played in patches but it was Kandy’s match all the way as they put up a solid and strong defence to thwart every possible attempt Navy made to score. Fijian power horse Setefano Cakau and his powerful set of Fijians were made to look like mere pedestrians as Cloete who was largely instrumental in been part of that defence too was also responsible in turning over ball at least eight times in Kandy’s favour.
Cleote first came into the picture when he broke a 3-3 deadlock after Navy place kicker Reza Mubarak put over a penalty to level scores following a penalty by Kandy’s Roshan Weeraratne in the fifth minute which was awarded when Achela Perera unleashed a stiff illegal tackle.
Cloete made a scorching charge-down to a kick by Weeraratne from midfield, collected the high-ball against opposition from Navy defender Chamara Dabare and covered some twenty metres to score a brilliant try. Weeraratne missed the touchline conversion. At lemons Kandy led 8/3.
The second half commenced with both teams fighting tooth and nail for possession but Kandy thanks to the quick-thinking Cloete extended their lead to 13-3 when he collected a pass a metre away from the line and using his weight and strength crashed through the Navy defence to score his second try.
Weeraratne missed the conversion but Kandy was well secured with a 13-3 lead as they never gave up the stranglehold they had on Navy in this game.
Midway in the second half Navy made a do-or-die effort to cut down the lead and get back into the match but Kandy had other plans as they were fully prepared to face the champions who were reduced to just another team yesterday.
Navy’s only consolation in hindsight came in the form of a penalty put over by Mubarak to reduce the margin 13-6 but that only spurred on Kandy to unleash a more resolute defence as they stood firm.
Kandy also made several attacking forays and their efforts paid off when they earned a penalty which Weeraratne put over to increase the lead 16-6 which they held on even in heavy rain during the last five minutes of play.
It was a remarkable performance by Kandy who have turned the tables now on two of the top sides, Havelocks last weekend and Navy yesterday despite suffering an initial set back to lose a game to Army a couple of weeks ago. Coach Taylor, Chairman Rugby Lasantha Wijesooriya and Manager Kapila Silva has been largely instrumental in getting the boys from the hills to learn from that losing experience and bounce back like true champions.
Kandy has now thrown the tournament wide open with this win.
Referee: Thahil Ung
(Singapore)