Kandy SC in hard fought 23-13 win over Navy

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Defending Caltex League champions kandy SC put up an inept performance to scrape through to a 23 points (4 tries 1 penalty) to 13 (2 tries, 1 penalty) win over the lowly placed Navy Sports Club in their Caltex League 'A' Division Rugby Tournament match played at Nittawela before a large crowd. At half time Kandy led 13-8.

But Kandy did not have things their own way as the sailors put up a gutty performance. Sailors though conceding territorial advantage for the major part of the game put up a gallant display in the loose to stop the Marauding Kandyan from running up a big score.

For Kandy's supporters who turned in their number after a month's lapse it was a disappointing as their home failed to produce the sparkling rugby they are known for. In fact the Sailors with more aggression into their play could have torpedoed Kandy's invincibility in their home terrain.

Sailors surprised the home by scoring first in the 4th minute of play. A short punt by a Navy player was collected by Kandy's full back Nalaka Weerakoddy who delayed in clearing the ball and with two opposing players on him, he was penalised for not releasing the ball, the scrum which followed was won by Navy and scrum half R. M. D. Bandara went over the line. Navy led 5-0.

Kandy reduced the lead in the 9th minute through a 35 metre penalty put over by full back Nalaka Weerakoddy. Kandy could have taken over the lead two minutes later had Nalaka Weerakoddy not fluffed a 30 metre penalty almost in front.

It was only 16th minute into the first half that Kandy, took over the lead when winger Chamara Withanage sliced past several defenders to score far left. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to convert Kandy led 8-5.

But this lead was short lived as the Sailors equalised through a 35 metre penalty converted by centre M. S. K. Premanath. The scores remained deadlocked at 8 all.

Kandy went into the lead again in the 34th minute of this half, when a penalty was awarded to Kandy deep inside Navy territory. Fly half Fazil Marjo taking the short tap sent centres Sajith Mallikarachchi crashing over the line by the right corner flag. Nalaka Weerakoddy failed to add the extra points. Kandy had wrested the lead 13-8.

Second half saw Kandy move on the offensive and in the first ten minutes of play they could have breached Navy defence at least thrice but poor finish and lethargy deprived them the chances of scoring.

During the period Kandy's full back Nalaka Weerakoddy also attempted a drop goal which was slightly off target the first scoring effort in the second half came in the 22nd minute through a fine effort by Kandy's fly half Fazil Maria who with a Sequence of side stepping sliced the defence to score far right which went unconverted. Kandy led 18-8.

At this stage Kandy made several replacements which did not help Kandy's play as they look time to settle down.

Kandy's full back Nalaka Weerakoddy made a few penetrative runs and in one of which he joined the line and scored mid right. But he failed to add the extra points. Kandy 23-8.

But the Sailors fought back and for the first time drove play into Kandy's territory following a penalty awarded for dangerous play by a Kandy forward which finally ended in a try.

The penalty which was awarded for Navy was kicked to touch and from the line out Navy forced a scrum and from here they scored through their hooker K. S. P. Kumara by left corner flag and this went unconverted.

Referee - S. W. Chang.