Very mindful of their standing in the League Points Table last year, Kandy SC produced an improved display this year and finished unbeaten once again and deservedly claimed the champions title.
In their final game against Havelock SC, Kandy never let any loopholes unattended and having tightened their game they piled up a massive 50 points through seven tries, six conversions and a penalty as against 24 points scored by Havelocks.
This game was also a big occasion for Nigel Ratwatte who took the field for Kandy SC, maybe for the last time and played a more creative game.
He created several scoring changes and also sealed the game with the last try in the match.
Nigel was in creative mood from the first minute of the game when he fashioned a move for Dinal Ekanayake to go over the goal line. This try was followed by another in the 15th minute when he made the opening to send Srinath Sooriyabandara over for a try. With the conversion by Tharinda Ratwatte Kandy were way ahead on 17-3.
Being very mindful of what happened when they met the last time in Colombo, Kandy SC looked for every opportunity to score. They scored again in the 25th minute when Kenula Hettiarachchi put the finishing touches to a forwards maul. Tharinda converted and Kandy were then well ahead 24-3 at that point.
After Havelocks scored a try by Sandesh Jayawickrema and converted it himself, Kandy came back with Nigel Ratwatte creating an opening to send Dhan Wickremaarachchi going over for a try.
Tharinda Ratwatte converted this try and Kandy went ahead to 31 points to 10 until the half time.
Thereafter the scoring was done by either team until Kandy took a commanding 45 points to 17 points by Havelocks.
Havelocks scored in the 72nd minute with Sandesh Jayawickrema creating a move among the backs and Janidu Rajaratne going over. Jayawickrema added the extra points and the scores were Kandy 45, Havelocks 24.
With a few minutes left to the end of the game Nigel Ratwatte created a move by kicking over the Havies defence and collected it himself to score the final try.
He failed with the conversion and finished off in style to end his rugby career. (TBR)
