In what could be dubbed the ‘Game of the season’ so far, Kandy SC and CH&FC settled for their 2nd drawn game of the season with Sunday's (1) Super Round blockbuster clash ending 34-34 at the Colombo Racecourse. Kandy now lead the points table with CH in second in one of the most successful league campaigns in the last quarter century for the Gymkhana Club.
CH skipper Janidu Dilshan was sublime with his lethal moves in open play and another outstanding performance came through Kandy's place kicker Hirusha Sampath who had a 100% kicking rate which finally put an end to his team's kicking woes. All in all it was the hosts game to lose as they had more control of the game with the visiting backs well marked.
CH scored first from the very first breakthrough they had as Thanuja Maduranga went under the posts in the 16th minute with Janith Chandimal adding the extras. (CH 07-00 KSC). Hirusha Sampath put Kandy on the board with a penalty.
Kandy were reduced to 14-men as Dinal Ekanayake was sent to the sin-bin for a high shot on CH halfback Maliksha Perera.
Soon after Samitha Warnakulasooriya barged his way in the left flank to take a 12-03 lead on the 25th minute mark. Three minutes later it was time for 'Soori magic' as the veteran Srinath Sooriyabandara danced his way through to score with a quick tap 5-metres away from the whitewash. Sampath added the extras to make it a 2-point game. Janith Chandimal, rose to the occasion in the 32nd minute as CH scored their 3rd try, Chandimal converted his try to go up 19-10.
CH had some poor lineout throws which gave Kandy plenty of chances to get out of jail in the 1st half. With a relentless attack from Kandy Akash Madushanka renewed hopes for the visitors scoring a try followed by a brilliant corner flag conversion at the brink of lemons.
Half-time: CH&FC 19 (3T 2C) Kandy 17 (2T 2C 1P)
10-minutes into the 2nd half Koli Tamanikalu broke off a driving maul to score the bonus-point try for CH. A moment later it was déjà vu time for everyone as Diluksha Dange pounced on a loose-ball and scored under the post shell shocking the CH outfit to make it evens-stevens 24-all just like how the game ended at Nittawela in December.
After a heavily physical battle CH settled to opt at the 3-pointer. Janith Chandimal failed to bisect the posts in the 60th minute. However they took the lead yet again through a penalty try and Charles Praveen (KSC) was shown a yellow card due to infringements in the maul.
Akash Madushanka was the man who gave hope to Kandy yet again with another converted try in the last 10 minutes(CH 31-31KSC). With just 5 minutes to go Kandy took the lead through a Sampath penalty.
Later CH in a bold move opted for a scrum with a penalty right in front of the posts and failed to score, but with multiple advantages and an almost brain freeze moment they finally opted for the kick at goal. The Kandy-CH love affair with stalemates continued as Chandimal slotted a three-pointer at the last gasp.
Full-time: CH&FC 34 (5T 3C 1P) Kandy 34 (4T 4C 2P)
Cup segment - Standings
Kandy – 45 points
CH & FC – 43 points
CR & FC – 42 points
Havelocks – 40 points
Upcoming fixtures – Cup
7 February Havelocks vs. Kandy at Havelock Park
8 February CH&FC vs. CR&FC at Racecourse