Kandy’s supremacy continues
Kandy skipper Nigel Ratwatte barges through the CH defence - Pic by Amila Gamage
Kandy Sports Club continued their unbeaten supremacy in the Dialog Rugby League 2019/2020 beating CH & FC by 31-13 in their first-round encounter played at Race Course International Stadium yesterday.
Following a thrashing handed to CR & FC last weekend, Kandy started the game as favourites without a doubt. However, CH & FC started off the blocks brilliantly putting Kandy under tremendous pressure in the first few minutes.
Kandy committed several penalties in the first ten minutes of the game which resulted in losing their prop Ganuka Dissanayake to the Sin-Bin for continuous infringements.
The visitors had no possession whatsoever as the hosts got their first try of the match in the 13th minute courtesy second-row Sajith Saranga. Full-back Samuel Maduwantha failed to convert the try but a few minutes later, he extended the lead through a penalty to put CH & FC eight points ahead in the first quarter of the match.
Despite CH & FC dominating early proceedings, Kandy turned the game around through some excellent support play as flanker Jason Dissanayake touched down near the posts in the 28th minute. Tarinda Ratwatte added the extra points to cut down the deficit only to one point.
CH & FC’s hopes of registering a massive surprise win were averted in the final ten minutes of the first half as Kandy managed to score twice more through winger Buddhima Piyaratne and Tarinda Ratwatte as the visitors went into the half-time, leading by 19-08.
After lemons, Kandy managed most of the possession and territory. Tarinda Ratwatte, by far the most talented back in the Kandy lineup, scored his second try of the match in the 47th minute to secure the bonus point for the reigning champions, who are already the league toppers this season.
CH & FC were kept in the game as their captain Rohitha Rajapaksa went over the try line in the 53rd minute. However, Maduwantha failed to convert the try.
Both teams injected fresh legs off the bench throughout the second half which resulted in plenty of stop-start play in the game.
Kandy dominated most of the set-plays. They showed why they’re the best in the country in the 67th minute of the game-clock when number eight Buwaneka Udangamuwa controlled the ball from a five-meter scrum to score the fifth and final try of the match for the visitors.
With only one first round match left to play, Kandy Sports Club continued their supremacy to remain unbeaten in the league with another powerful performance.
Referee – Hasantha Weranga