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by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Kandy Sports Club completed the rugby double and three title wins in a row when they beat Army Sports Club by 26 points (1 gold 2 tries 3 penalties) to 19 2 tries 3 Penalties) to become Caltex Clifford Cup Champions for the third year in succession at Nittawela yesterday. At half time Kandy led 11-8.

The match turned out to be a fiercely fought out battle though a heavy shower before the start of the match threatened to dampen proceedings.

Army had a slight edge over the Kandy team in the lineouts but the scrums appeared to be shared. Kandy excelled in loose play and their forwards had a good game.

At the conclusion of the match the distribution of awards was made by General Manager of Caltex Lalith Gunasinghe to the champions and the runners up trophy was given to Army shipper by Vajira Abeysinghe also of Caltex.

Also gracing the podian were Maurice Perera Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte. Commodore Harsha Mayadunne are Major L.C. Gunaratne. It was Army who kept the scoreboard moving first when the forwards took play deep inside Kandy territory and flanker H. Karunaratne had no difficulty in finding the gap to score far right. Centre Kapila Knowlton failed to add the extra points. Army 5-0.

But Kandy reduced the lead in the 8th minute when the Army three quarters were spotted off side and full back Nalaka Weerakoddy converted the penalty which was awarded. Kandy 3-5.

Two minutes later Army three quarters were again penalised but Nalaka Weerakoddy fluffed the penalty which was offered. But in the 15th minute Nalaka Weerakoddy kicked his second penalty for Kandy to take the lead. Kandy 6-5. Kandy forged further ahead in the 25th when the three quarters took control of the ball off a second phase move with centres Sajith Mallikarachchi and Indrajith handling the ball before sending left winger Pradeep Liyanage to score by the left corner flag. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to add the extra points. Kandy 11-5.

In the 30th minute Army reduced the lead through a penalty put over by centre Kapila Knowlton. Army 8-11.

But after the turn around Kandy's three quarters were spotted off side and centre Kapila Knowlton kicked the penalty with dead accuracy for the soldiers to equalise 11-all. But it did not take long for Kandy to regain the lead. The won a scrum inside Army territory and fly half Nilufer Ibrahim worked the three quarters and centre Indrajith Bandaranayake slung a long pass to winger Radhika Hettiarachci who sliced through the defence to go over by the right corner flag. Full-back Nalaka Weerakoddy added the extra points with a brilliant kick. Kandy led 18-11.

But Army now playing to a different plan made good progress bent on reducing the lead. They first put over a penalty through centre Kapila Knowlton to reduce the gap to 14-18. In the 25th minute they took over the lead when they wheeled the scrum and Kandy's defence was caught napping and Army skipper and fly-half Ajith Peiris was over the line with the tackle. Kapila Knowlton failed to add the extra points. Army led 19-18.

Shortly afterwards Kandy had a chance of forging ahead when a penalty awarded from kicking distance was kicked astray by Nalaka Weerakoddy. Kandy wasted the lead when Army was penalised for dangerous play and full-back Nalaka Weerakoddy fired the penalty. Kandy led 21-19.

In the dying stages of the game Kandy Sports Club put the issue beyond doubt when their three-quarters using power and speed hacked their way through centres Indrajith Bandaranayake and Sajith Mallikarachchi before winger Radhika Hettiarachchi with a burst of speed pounded his way to score far right. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to add the extra points. Kandy 26-19.

M. Poochai of Thailand refereed assisted by A. Rankothge and D. Nimal with P. Gunaratne as third referee.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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