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CR crumble before Lagata's power-play
Kandy 36
CR&FC 20
By Bernie Wijesekera

Kandy on the move. Kandy maintained their unbeatenform when they overcame CR&FC 36-20 at Longdon Place. Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara.

Defending Caltex league champions and table leaders Kandy SC playing controlled rugby drubbed CR&FC by 36 points (four goals, a try and a drop goal) to 20 (a goal, two tries and a penalty) in a key Caltex Premier league match at Longdon Place yesterday.
At the short whistle Kandy led 17-13 thanks to two opportunistic tries offered to them.

Former CR&FC coach Lagata playing as No 8 for the Hill Capital club was the showpiece. Lagata gave a superb display of professional rugby at his best to the avid fans. Using his power, weight and strength, he bulldozed his way to three of the Kandy tries. It was power rugby at its best.

The red shirts really ran the ball in the first 20 minutes after Nalaka Weerakkody's 'special', a peach of a drop-goal in front which created scoring opportunities. But lack of patience and discipline of the Laws of the Game failed to unlock the Kandy fortress. In the process Kandy took much of the pressure off in defence.

Weerakkody was hardly tested with the high up and under the ball. Nalaka in the end stood out with his booming kicks to touch. Just before the short whistle CR were inches away from the line but was penalized. CR could have got the 100 metres advantage.

It was a bone-crunching game with the respective forwards who fought with tooth and nail. Kandy SC should thank their roving forward Pradeep Basnayake who out jumped his opponent in the long throws and Lagata as No 8 used a lot of power to lead the pack from the front.

Blaming individuals was not going to change the result. But rugby fans reveled watching a fine exhibition of rugby. For CR&FC in the last line Asanga Rodrigo, with his better rugby skills and positional play along with young Haren Kaluarachchi, were the pick.

For Kandy in the line Indrajit Bandaranayake and Radhika Hettiarachchi have no peer.
They are two players of international class much better than some of the foreigners on show in the ongoing season. Kandy opened scoring with a drop goal by Nalaka in the ninth minute. CR hit back in the 17th minute with a superb try off a short tap, where the ball changed hands for Kaluarachchi to go over for an unconverted try. (5-3).

This was followed by a penalty put over by CR's Kodagoda (8-3). Lagata scored next for Kandy to make it 17-8. Fijian Charles scored the best try in the first session for CR when he had the Kandy defence napping to make it 13-17 at the short whistle. Kodagoda's spot kicks over the crossbar was found wanting for CR. Later he was replaced by Roshan Peiris.

But Peiris, a much stronger player, should have played in this tough game. With Lagata scoring his third try Kandy took control to lead 31-13. Another try by Sean Wijesinghe, who waltzed his way over the line saw Kandy lead 36-13. Nalaka was on target to put over he four tries. Kishan Musafer off a good move, scored under the posts. Halimdeen converted to make it 20-36. In last year's confrontation CR won 32-18 at Longdon Place, but earlier lost to Kandy 32-18 at Nittawela. Referee Nizam Jamaldeen.

Royal retain Major Milroy Fernando Memorial trophy
Royal 19
Isipathana 8
By Shamseer Jaleel

An Isipatana player runs with the ball with Royal players in pursuit. Royal however won the match 19-8. Pictures by M.A. Pushpakumara.

Royal College Colombo powered their way through to beat a below form Isipathana outfit by 19 points ( 2 goals , 1 try ) to 8 (1 try , 1 penalty ) in their key Inter-School Milo "A" Division rugby game played yesterday in front of a packed crowd at the Royal Sports Complex Grounds. At lemons Royal led by 5 - 0

Through Royal had a lot of territorial advantage in the first 20 minutes, they failed to score as the Isipathana defence was rock solid. Their forwards led by hardy, Senthil, Kumar played their hearts out. Royal skipper Rajith Jayasundera, Lashaman Dissanayake, Varun Wijewardena were excellent in defence as well as attack. Their full back was tested fully by Isipatana. Though Bahudeen had a few hiccups, he played well within himself.

Isipathana's hooker and place kicker missed as many as 4 penalties in the whole game. The score line was no indication how the game went as both teams had very strong forwards and speedy three quarters. Royal's Rajith Jayasundera and strongly built Sri Lankan cap Lakshman Dissanayke were well marked.

The Reid avenue school after their shock defeat to Wesley last week came one step closer to regain the Milo "A" Division as only St. Anthony's is the only other side with one defeat who can give a scare to them. But the Antonians are having two difficult games against St. Peter's and S.Thomas'.

Royal drew first blood late in the first half with prop Abeywickrama going over for an unconverted try. In the second half Royal's stand off Varun Wijewardena dummied his way through to score under the posts. Bahudeen converted and the score stood at 12 - 0.

Royal came back intoIsipathana territory and kept the pressure till Varun Wijewardena,who had a good game scored once more for Bahudeen to add the extra points.

After Royal led 19 - 0, the Isipathana hooker Senthil Kumar obliged with a penalty to close the gap to 19 - 3. As Isipathana ran out time they relentlessly attacked during the last 10 minutes of play by scoring far right through Nalin Liyanage which also went unconverted. The final score was 19 - 8 in favour of Royal. Referee Orville Fernando controlled the game The under 17 match ended in a 5 - 5 draw.

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