Unable to take up defeat after their adored team crashed to an unexpected defeat, boisterous supporters of Kandy SC drove fear into the triumphant Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR and FC) players by surrounding their dressing room at Nittawela last Sunday.
The Red Shirts as they are also known, initially had to run for cover after the match as Kandy SC supporters described as “aggressive towards CR players” had to be held back by the intervention of some police personnel at the venue as Sri Lanka’s high profile rugby League was thrown open with the defending champions, identified by some as invincible, losing their first game in Kandy in 27 years.
But although their hardcore supporters went bonkers, the hierarchy of Kandy SC came to grips with the defeat, got down to reality and began a regroup to ponder their next move with no matches scheduled for this week.
To the outside world for once Kandy SC, since becoming the major force in rugby in the island and living on a pedestal had admitted their faults instead of pointing fingers at people they used to call jealous detractors.
“Sunday’s loss can be the beginning of a long term setback,” Kandy SC’s president Sarath Perera told his Committee.
“Since we are not accustomed in occupying the second place let us get together to stabilize and strengthen the administration to provide a good platform for coaches and players to perform”, Perera’s eye-opening message said.
But CR are in no position to be carried away by last Sunday’s win and will be on their guard as one threat though eliminated could spark off another cause for concern among the players of Colombo’s elite Longden Place club.
“We take our matches one at a time and don’t see Kandy as the only side to beat. We don’t have any ex-factors (unknown elements that can deliver) unlike Kandy and we depend very much on team efforts to work for us,” said CR coach and former Sri Lanka Number Eight Dushanth Lewke.
But nothing will be able to worry CR at the return match in Colombo more than in Kandy SC displaying some old charm as they have done in the past when the chips were down, coming from behind like the darkest of horses.
“Kandy has won the League on 19 occasions after losing one or two matches and its going to be a very tough second round for all teams. CR has got to improve with each match and we have to manage our players especially when it comes to injuries,” said Lewke.
Next week’s fixtures:
Feb: 2
Navy SC vs Police SC at Welisara
Havelocks vs CR and Havelock Park
Feb: 3
Army SC vs Air Force SC at Panagoda
CH vs Kandy at Race Course
