Dominant Kandy down Havelock 29-8 to remain unbeaten

Action from the match between Kandy SC and Havelock SC at Nittawela

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club continued their unbeaten run in the Nippon Inter Club League 2022/23 rugby tournament when they beat Havelock Sports Club by 29 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty) to 8 points (1 try, 1 conversion) at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.

At the short breather, Kandy led 19-3.

Kandy played well within themselves, not allowing the Park Club to come into their half in the first half. Led by Damith Dissanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga and Wajid Fahmy played their hearts out for Kandy. Though many expected the three-quarters to have a run around the Park Club, it was their young and mobile set of forwards who dominated the game. As usual, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Tharinda Ratwatte, and Dinal Ekanayake were lightning fast. Kavindu Perera only had two opportunities to touch the ball at the wing.

Havies made a number of handling errors in the first half but made some bold moves in the second. Their fly-halves, Sandesh Jayawickrema and Ramesh Fernando, stood out for the Park Club. Even with the return of the magician Mithun Hapugoda in the later half, Havies could not make a difference.

Thilina Bandara, Wajid, Tharindu, and Dinal Ekanayake scored the tries for Kandy, with Tharinda converting three of them and putting over a solitary penalty for the home team. Meanwhile, Sandesh put over the only penalty, and Ramesh broke through the Kandy defence to touch down.

Havies received one yellow card for Shehan Diaz, while Kandy’s yellow offenders were the Ratwatte brothers, Nigel and Damian Ratwatte.

The match was officiated by referee Hasantha Weranga, assistant referees Priyantha Gunaratne and Kelum Sandaruwan, and CMO Anil Jayasinghe.

Kandy SC will host CR & FC in their last league encounter at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on February 19.