Kandy recover from slumber to beat CH and FC

Ball handling errors turn overs and most of all bad decision making cost CH and FC dearly in their Caltex Segment A Division One rugby league against Kandy played at Maitland Crescent yesterday. The defending Champions seemed to be stunned, but got their act together to defeat the hosts by 30 points (two goals, two tries and two penalties) to 17 (one try and four penalties).

Kandy were down a man in the first few minutes after prop forward Eranga Swarnathileke was sin binned for dangerous late tackle. The victim CH and FC’s stand off Omar Hassan made Kandy pay by converting a penalty shortly after. With 14 minutes gone it seemed like an upset was on the cards as Scrum half Tuan Shamrock touched down for an unconverted try.

Kandy were looking rattled and a touch jaded. They were not able to run over their opponents as they usually do. CH and FC played like a team possessed. They made their tackles count and shaded the possession percentage in the first half. A try by Kandy ‘s number eight Imran Bisthamin and a penalty by Saliya Kumara saw Kandy draw level before another penalty by Hassan gave the hosts a shock but deserved 11 points to 8 lead at the breather.

Unfortunately for the hosts normal service was resumed by Kandy in the second half. A brace by center Pradeep Liyanage and one well worked try by second rower Sumedha Jayasinghe, a penalty by Kumara and two conversions by Radhika Hettiarachchi saw the champions keep their unbeaten record intact. The hosts were only able to reply with penalties by Hassan.

CH and FC had their chances. Twice they over ran the ball near and over the touch line. And they will perhaps rue the fact that they took a kick at goal from ten metres out when they were trailing by six points. Kandy dominated the line out and they recycled the ball much faster than their opponents. But Kandy did make a lot of uncharacteristic unforced errors.

Though when they did get it right, it was vintage rugby. Unfortunately a good match was marred by a brawl that broke out between the players half way through the second half. Even a person who was off the field entered the fray. Referee Asela De Silva waited till order was restored consulted his assistants and sent one player from each side in to the sin bin. And over all De Silva had a fine game making sure that all the players abided by the rules without disrupting the flow of the game.

De Silva who is now domiciled in Australia is in Sri Lanka on a holiday. Meanwhile Nalaka Weerakkody has come out of retirement at the request of Kandy SC’s Secretary Isfan Omar and will be available for their next game, which will the top of the table clash against CR and FC in Kandy next Sunday.

Yellow Cards – Eranga Swarnathileke, Gayan Weeraratne (Kandy SC) and Ruchira Fernando (CH and FC). Today – Police will take on wooden spoonists Old Zahirians Sports Club at Police Park. Kick off at 4.30pm.