Kandy SC string second-half comeback, beat CR&FC to retain Rugby League title

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league champions Kandy Sports Club showed their supreme class when they not only beat CR & FC for a second time this season but also retained the league title for a record eighth year in a row when they beat the Red Shirts by 29 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty) to 10 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty)  in their final Nippon Paint Inter Club Rugby League 2022/2023 encounter front of a packed in Nittawela Rugby Stadium on Sunday.

This was Kandy’s 23rd league title, having remained unbeaten this season.

However, at the short breather it was CR who led 10-00.

CR settled well early in the first half with the wind favoring them massively.

Their defense was top class and on attack they put the Kandy under severe pressure. 

In fact, CR had nearly three scoring opportunities but could find Kandy line only once.

Chatura Seneviratne, the former Kingswoodian, played an excellent game gaining much-needed territory for the visitors plus putting the Kandy three quarters under pressure with his high ball kicks.

Meanwhile Kandy was under severe pressure not getting enough possession in the initial half.

They never panicked though, defending well, holding on until half-time conceding a 10-point lead.

Come second half, attacking towards the Club House end, they were unstoppable.

Seneviratne put over a penalty in the fifth minute of the game but drew first blood later in the 11th minute with a similar attempt. CR who dominated the initial half touched down through a Thenuka Nanayakkara try and Seneviratne added the extras

CR left the Kandy crowd shell shocked at the short but that was as good as it got for the visiting team.

The packed house of 4000 plus saw four tries scored in the latter half through Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera, Yakoob Ali and Asiri Seneviratne.

Tharinda Ratwatte converted all three plus put over a penalty while the last kick was given to skipper Damith Dissanayake.

The game was refereed by Gihan Yatawara, with Ishanka Abeykoon and Raveen Alexander as Assistant Referees.

The Match Commisioner was Kavinda Jayasena and with Anil Jayasinghe serving as the CMO.

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja