Kandy SC clinched the Caltex Segment ‘A’ inter club Division One rugby title for the eight consecutive year. They beat Havelocks by 37 points (two goals, four tries and one penalty) to 17 (two goals and one penalty) in their second round rugby clash played at Havelock Park yesterday.

With this victory Kandy have an unassailable six point lead over their nearest rivals CR and FC who they will meet next weekend at Longden Place. Thus all that remains to be seen is whether CR and FC can end Kandy’s unbeaten streak in this tournament.

It was Kandy from the word go as they forced the home side into a series of unforced errors at crucial times in the first half. Tries by veteran wing three quarter Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, flanker Dilip Selvam, fly half Faazil Marija, a penalty by scrum half Saliya Kumara who also converted one of the tries gave Kandy what seemed an imposing 20 points to 3 at the breather. Just before the whistle blew for lemons Havelocks’ stand off Sampath Lakshan put over a penalty.

Right after the restart it seemed as though Kandy would score over 50 points as centre Pradeep Liyanage collected the ball and scored following an up and under kick from team mate Sameera Silva. It was then that Havelocks seemed to wake up. They out scrummed and out jumped the victors. Havelocks scored two tries in relatively quick succession.

Wing three quarter Nuwan Hettiarachchi scored first followed by prop Shafi Hassan. Lakshan converted both tries and it appeared as though a miracle would take place. But that was not be as Kandy once again forced errors from their opponents. Kandy ran in three more tries. Jayasinghe scored as did full back Radhika Hettiarachchi and substitute Gayan Weeratne. Fellow substitute Eranda Weerakkody converted one try.