Clinical Kandy thump Airmen
Kandy SC flyhalf Tarinda Ratwatte barges through the Air Force defence to score a try at Ratmalana - Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara
Returning to action after a lapse of two years, title holders Kandy Sports Club displayed their usual potential despite going through a scrappy first half, to defeat Air Force Sports Club by 34-12 in a Division ‘A’ Club Rugby League match played at Ratmalana yesterday.
Leading the halftime by a slender margin of 15-12, Kandy SC finished on a high after scoring from five tries, three conversions and a penalty. The Airmen scored from two tries and a conversion, which all were recorded during the first half, as they looked a threatening outfit to the visitors.
Led by centre Nigel Ratwatte, Kandy SC wasted little time to take the much anticipated boost from an unconverted try off hooker Damith Dissanayake, who had the support of his team-mates to complete a steamrolling effort. They expanded the lead to 8-0 when flyhalf Tarinda Ratwatte perfectly kicked a penalty that came their way.
The Airmen responded well within a matter of minutes, when they penetrated the Kandy defence to score a peach of a try off centre Gayantha Iddamalgoda, which was converted by Nuwan Perera. Before the game reached its 13th minute Kandy SC was feeling the chill of the shocker they were given by the Airmen six years ago at the same venue, and were feeling the pressure upfront with a lead of just one point.
To make matters worse for the visitors, the Airmen attacked with vengeance after sensing a possibility of another spoiler against the unspoiled unit from Kandy. The efforts made by the home team finally paid off when hooker Parakrama Ratnayake stunned the Kandy defence to crash down for a try in the 28th minute, which went unconverted. At this point Air Force led by 12-8.
Knowing the bitterness of their defeat in November of 2016, Kandy SC were determined to make sure they do not repeat another disaster, as they counter attacked tactically to thwart the efforts of the Airmen. Finally they were able to get their usual tone and pace to land their second try off Tarinda Ratwatte, seconds before the halftime. With Ratwatte firing the conversion through successfully, Kandy SC regained the lead at 15-12, as they took the breather with an advantage of three points.
Taking the field with their heads held high, Kandy made sure to conduct themselves as a winning unit they are known for, while clinically taming the Airmen from totally taking control. The game gradually moved into the hands of the visitors, who added three more tries and two conversions to their final tally.
Forcing the Airmen to defend and making their workload more hard, Kandy SC attacked randomly, and penetrated their opponent’s defence thrice, main through some electric runs by their three-quarters. Scrumhalf Srinath Sooriyabandara touched down twice while winger Buddima Piyaratne braced a try as Ratwatte converted two of the three tries to help Kandy record a runaway 34-12 win, when referee Aaqil Jamaldeen blew the long whistle.