CR fought; but Kandy’s insatiable appetite won the day
Kandy's Danushka Ranjan races away - Pic Ranjith Perera
CR & FC belied their recent run of poor form by playing their part in a stirring game of rugby against champions Kandy SC at Longdon Place. This was in all probability, Kandy’ closest match. The lead at half time was 12-5, Kandy’s lowest.
As for the scoring, the winners had two goals and two tries as against a try and a penalty try for the home team.
The game started with a bang. Dharmapala caught the ball on the line or thereabouts but delayed his clearance. The CR forwards were there in numbers. Off the ensuing line out CR tried to go over but were penalised. Their driving maul didn’t really work.
Kandy should have gone ahead shortly after, but Marija’s pass to the isolated Dharmapala was misdirected.
The first half saw plenty of attacking play by Kandy and some superb defensive work by the CR. The pressure was intense and something had to give. Kandy was swinging the ball about and Wilwara came across from the other wing to collect and dive over. Wijesinghe booted the kick over.
Kavindu De Costa saw his chance when the ball ran loose in Kandy’s 22. He seized on it and cut his way through about 15 yards to go over. Ratwatte had an angular conversion and he just kissed the right upright (7-5).
Ranjan was also guilty of a stray pass that denied his team a try. It didn’t matter because, within minutes, flanker Jason Dissanayake, who had a grand game, latched on to a pass, ran across and streaked along the left touch line to dive over for an unconverted try. This was it at the short whistle.
The second half began in darkness but it cleared a bit midway. However it was played in an incessant drizzle. The conditions failed to dampen the proceedings as two strong teams played fearlessly and scrapped furiously.
Kandy added to their tally when Udangamuwa went over off a forwards rush. Wijesinghe was successful with the conversion.
Ranjan who had not been in the picture earlier on, now stole the show by chasing a grubber and going over. Wijesinghe failed to add the points.
The conditions at this stage favoured forwards play. CR took the cue and camped near the Kandy line for about six or seven minutes. But the Kandy defence held. Yet CR kept attacking and, of a sudden, referee Dinka Pieris penalised Kandy and awarded a penalty try. Inquiry revealed that he had spotted the Kandy line being off side on two earlier occasions.
It was a good, keen contest between two teams that were well equipped with both forwards and backs. However, at the end, Kandy’s talent and their insatiable appetite for success won the day.
Despite having lost to the CH and Army, in successive games, the CR seemed to reserve their best for this key one. Sadly for the home team, that was not good enough.