Kandy in close win over Havies; CR gain 17-13 win over Air Force
Kandy SC recorded a close 22-20 win over Havelocks in the Dialog League Rugby second round game under floodlights at Havelock Park yesterday. In the other game worked off at Ratmalana CR &FC scored a 17-13 victory over Air Force.
Kandy scored two tries, three penalties and one drop goal while the Park Club gained a try and five penalties. Meanwhile CR scored 2 goals and a penalty against Air Force who collected their points through two tries and a drop goal.
Kandy center Oscar Omar makes a break with a host of Havelocks players clinging on to him - Pic by Amila Gamage.
Kandy came into the game having high hopes of winning handsomely and Havelocks on the other hand had every hope of winning against Kandy on their home ground. There was also scuffles between the players but UAE based referee Morris Buitler had a close check on the game. As a result there were signs of the crowd becoming restless. However no major incidents occurred.
In the 11th minute of the game Kandy shot into the lead when fly-half Arshad Jamaldeen put over a 40 meter penalty. After seven minutes Havelocks fly half Dulaj Perera slotted over a penalty and Havelocks equaled the score at 3 all. Minutes later Dulaj Perera put over an easy penalty and Havelocks took a slender 6-3 lead.
Dulaj Perera figured prominently for the Park Club by putting over another penalty to take the lead at 9-3 and another Dulaj Perera penalty put them further ahead at 12-3.
Shortly before lemons Kand flanker Christopher Cloeta barged through off a five yards scrum which Arshad Jamaldeen failed to convert. Havelocks led 12-8 at the breather.
Early in the first half referee Morris Buitler gave a yellow card for Jason Melder of Havelocks.
In the 48th minute of the second session winger Rehan Thyagaraja made a break and burst through to score an unconverted try by the left corner flag. Havelocks led 17-8 at this stage. Dulaj Perera entered the scene next by converting a penalty. Havelocks 17. Kandy 8.
Shortly afterwards Dulaj Perea converted another penalty for Havelocks to put them ahead at 20-8. A few minutes later Arshad Jamaldeen was spot-on with a penalty for Kandy to take the score to 20-11. Arshad Jamaldeen put over another penalty and Kandy was ahead at 20-14. Six minutes later Arshad Jamaldeen put over a 35 meter drop goal and the score stood at – Kandy 17 and Havelocks 20.
In the last minute Krisho Jehan, who was on the reserve bench and who was called into play barged through off an eight yards scrum but the conversion was disallowed as Arshad Jamaldeen took over two minutes in readying himself for the conversion, which is against the stipulated law.