Kandy SC turned the tide in their favour with another accomplished display of tactful rugby to emerge winners over Havelocks by 19 points to 15 in their Cup championship encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday.
They collected their points through three tries and two conversions while Havelocks scored two tries, a conversion and a penalty in reply.
The scores were 3-0 in favour of Havelock SC at half time with Kandy occupying the Havelocks territory most of the half but just could not pierce the home team’s defence.
Havelocks scored through a penalty by Janith Chandimal in the 40th minute when Kandy were penalised for a high tackle.
The second half saw Kandy turn the game in their favour with some clever tactical moves. They made use of the opportunities that came their way by choosing the appropriate moves according to the situation to score the tries.
They scored first in the 43rd minute when centre Suranga Tennakoon spotted a gap and went through off a three-quarter move that began in the Havelocks 20 metre area.
Tharinda Ratwatte made the conversion to get full points and get ahead of Havelocks.
Kandy scored again in the 48th minute when they were awarded a penalty and obtained a line-out near the goal line. The ensuing rolling maul saw Jason Dissanayake put the finishing touches.
Ratwatte once again converted to go 14 points ahead.
Havelocks scored next through some hard work that resulted in Janith Chandimal go over the line off a move in the Kandy 20 metre area.
Kandy scored next through their skipper Lavanga Perera who received a long pass to the wing. This try gave them the 19 points a lead of 11 points over Havelocks.
Havelocks scored in the dying minutes when they won a scrum and lock forward Oliver Bukle forced his way over the line.
Sandesh Jayawickrema had an easy conversion but Havelocks were behind by four points when the final whistle was blown.
Ishan Abeykoon refereed.
