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Sports

Kandy wriggle to win at the post
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Kandy SC went through hell for much of their Caltex league game against the CH and FC before finally emerging seemingly comfortable winners by 23 points ( 4 tries, 1 drop goal) to six (two penalties) at Nittawela yesterday.

The first half typified the irresistible force-immovable object situation. It was a terrific battle up front between two sets of teak-hard forwards. CH's pack was probably the heavier one, and early on they did push the Kandy forwarders back quite a bit. The players of both teams threw themselves into the fray with gusto and CH in particular withstand many a 5 yard scrum and attack on their goal line.

Once the ball came out to the back division, it was a different ball game. Sanjeewa Jayasinghe used his blazing speed to gain 40 to 50 yards for his side on may occasions. He was a track to match in full flow.

In the second half it was center Pradeep Liyanage (not that far behind Jayasinghe in terms of speed) who gave a dazzling display and the gap and sliced through with a couple of defences clutching at thin air.

Wijeweera missed a penalty early on and thereafter Kandy pressurized the CH defence relentlessly to no avail. At this point, Weerakkody (who had a forgettable game otherwise) dropped a nonchalant goal as the CH blinked. Wijeweera replied instantly and the visitors were ahead 0-3 after twenty minutes.

Just before lemons, the much harried CH defence wilted and lock Kapila Silva dived over. (8-6 to Kandy). Midway in the second half, the dangerous Liyanage broke away from his half and surged ahead. He drew the last defender and sent out a well timed pass to winger Jayasinghe who did the rest. There was just a hint of a forward pass but referee Aruna Jayasekera thought it was good.

A few minutes later, Liyanage spotted a gap 30 yards from the line and breezed through at top speed (18-6). Twelve points to the good and the long blast beckoning, Kandy started playing like the champions they undoubtedly one. The back division swing into action and Liyanage once more took the breath away with to score his second try. Weerakkody missed all four conversions. The final score could be misleading. It was pretty even-going till midway in the second half. The last three tries came in the final twenty minutes.

Kandy SC can rest satisfied that they have overcome one stiff hurdle. Another, even stiffer one awaits in the shape of the CR. The champions will have to lift their game a notch or two. A bouquet to the forwarders who were quite superb and dominated possession.

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