On Sunday (29) evening, Kandy Sports Club (KSC) registered their 3rd win in a row, beating CH&FC 39-28 at the Colombo Racecourse in their week 3 clash of the Inter-Club Rugby League. 

Hosts CH took off to a flying start against the much-fancied visitors; however their joy was short-lived as the hill country outfit dominated the 1st half. CH tried to come back in the 2nd essay, but it was too little too late for the Gymkhana Club.

Hooker Pulasthi Dasanayake scored the opening try of the game through a rolling maul in the 9th minute. Janith Chandimal added the extras. (CH 07-00 KSC)

However, the hosts were treated for a shocker in the next 4 minutes as Kandy scored back-to-back tries through Dinal Ekanayake and Nigel Ratwatte. (KSC 12-07 CH)

CH gave away 3 consecutive penalties in crucial moments, and Heshan Jansen’s well-timed kick found the hands of Dinal Ekanayake in the 19th minute. (KSC 17-07 CH)

35th minute: Skipper Srinath ‘Soori’ Sooriyabandara, the most experienced man for the hill capital club, scored in the left flank with Tarinda Ratwatte adding a peach of a conversion from the corner flag.

Half time: KSC 24-07 CH&FC

Highest point-scorer of the league, Tarinda Ratwatte, kick-started the second half and shot a penalty to take Kandy for a comfortable 20-point lead.

Playing at number 8 for Kandy, Wajid Fawmy scored off a scrum in the 48th minute. Tarinda missed the extras. Soon after, Tharindu Chathuranga (KSC) was shown the first yellow card of the game for a high shot.

An eternity later, the Gymkhana Club finally got onto the scorecard and scored for the first time in the second half through a good old quick-tap-and-go. 

Nirosh Perera scored and Chandimal added the extras. (KSC 32-14 CH)

The next try for Kandy came through arguably Sri Lanka’s biggest schoolboy rugby sensation, Shaahid Zumri’s famous back hand pass, which was collected by seasoned campaigner Kavindu Perera to score. 

In the 70th minute, Janith Chandimal sniped through the defence to score for CH and converted the extras.

At the brink of full time, Sanushka Abeywickrema (KSC) was sent to the sin-bin as referee Ishanka Abeykoon dished out the second yellow for the day.

Replacement scrum-half Thanuja Dilshan scored in the last move of the game for the Gymkhana Club. 

Both teams secured the all important 4-try bonus point.

Full time: Kandy SC 39 (6T 3C 1P) beat 28 CH&FC (4T 4C)

Previous results – Week 3

• CR&FC 38-15 Navy 

• Havelocks 17-15 Police 

• Army 32-15 Sri Lions