Kandy SC recorded their sixth consecutive victory when they defeated Navy SC 33 points (5 tries, 4 conversions) to 19 (1 try, 1 conversion, 4 penalties) in their Dialog ‘A’ division rugby match played at Nittawela yesterday.
Kandy was too strong for the Sailors in many ways and claimed the victory with good run and pass rugby in front of a passionate home crowd. The sailors tried their best to dominate the game handling the ball well, but failed at crucial stages to put the finishing touches. It was a hard earned win for the defending league champions.
A few minutes from the kick off, the Sailors scored 3 points off the boot of Thilina Weerasinghe. It didn’t take long for Kandy to find their way, in quick time from there. A fine move by Fazil Marija saw him go over for a try that was goaled by Nigel Ratwatte. At the end of the first quarter Kandy led 7-3. From here onwards both teams were equally good in defence and attack and there was no change in the score line. Before the breather Kandy SC was able to score two goals to take the upper hand.
With only a minute left for the half way mark the sailors got another penalty for the score to read 21-13 at half time.
A clear day in the hills saw both teams play physical style of rugby with powerful runs met by strong tackles as well as quick passes, grubbers and chip kicks to often put the defense on the back foot.
Kandy pack brought the energy back in the second half and strong running with even stronger tackles helped them to do well throughout. In this half the winners came out hard and fast and the sailors did not have much of good ball, whatever they got they made their best.
For the winners Fazil Marija, Thilina Wijesinghe, Anurudda Willawera and Richard Dharmapla scored the tries with four of them being converted by Nigel Ratwatte.
For the losers, Mohamed Abzal scored the try and all the kicking at goal was done by Thilina Weerasinghe.
Priyantha Gunaratne refereed.