- Week-1 Inter-Club Rugby; hosts too strong for debutants
- Army-Police match drama continues
Sri Lions started off their maiden Sri Lanka Inter-Club Rugby game with a bang to score first and went ahead 7-0 with ex-Josephian Aaron Perera, who was also part of Western Province Referees Union previously scoring in the left flank. Skipper Kevin Dixon added the extras. Kandy bounced back to level the scores 7-7 through a try off a driving maul by Dilshan Fareed Tarinda ‘Tari’ Ratwatte added the extras.
Sri Lions took the lead once again through quick thinking by Chanaka Chandimal’s cross-kick collected by Rumesh Ramdas to dive over. Kandy slotted a penalty soon after through Ratwatte.
Later, a beautiful three-quarter move try by Srinath ‘Soori’ Sooriyabandara saw a switch of direction foxing the opponents. Danushka Ranjan scored in the left flank at the brink of half time courtesy of a brilliant snipe through the defence by Tarinda Ratwatte (KSC 27-14 SL).
HT: KSC 27-14 Sri Lions
Kandy went up 30-14 with the start of the 2nd half with Tari slotting a penalty
The visitors missed a golden opportunity in the 45th minute as a player knocked the ball forward on the try line.
Kandy scored back-to-back tries thereafter as they ran riot with some great all-round understanding amongst the players with good passing and running lines.
The 49th minute saw arguably what could have been one of the best tries scored in the recent past as Heshan Jansen dashed along on a daring run to be eventually stopped by a gutsy Aaron Perera on the try line.
However in the 50th minute, Ratwatte scored a brilliant three-quarter move try orchestrated by half-back Heshan Jansen, a minute later Kavindu Perera, Jansen and Asiri Senevirathne magic saw Kandy scoring another try with youngster Dahan Wickramarachchi diving over.
Replacement hooker Ethan Schneider-Loos had a dream start in his debut season for the hill country club as he went over the whitewash in the 53rd minute.
Kandy’s half century came off Chathura Soysa’s try in the 66th minute (KSC 54-14 SL). Four minutes later, Tharindu Chathuranga scored under the posts and stamped their authority at the Nittawela Fortress.
Full Time: Kandy SC 61 (8T 6C 3P) + bonus point beat 14 Sri Lions SC (2T 2C)
Meanwhile, a decision is yet to be made on the match between Army SC and Police SC which was stopped on Saturday (14), at halt time hosts Army led 8-5.
Week 2: Fixtures
20 Dec.
Police vs. CH & FC at Police Park, 4 p.m.
21 Dec.
Air Force vs. Havelocks at Ratmalana, 4 p.m.
CR & FC vs. Sri Lions at Longdon Pl., 6.30 p.m.
22 Dec.
Kandy vs. Army at Nittawela, 4 p.m.