Rugby talk with Siva

CH and FC no match for Kandy SC

KANDY SC proved that they were too good for CH and FC when they over ran them by 31 points (two goals, one try, two penalties and two drop goals) to 6 points (two penalties) on Sunday, September 4 in the Clifford Cup Finals played before a large crowd at Nittawela in pouring rain.

The performance of CH and FC on this day was pathetic and one was made to wonder by their performance whether they deserved to play in the finals and that their win against CR and FC in the semi-finals was a flash in the pan.

CH and FC began their dream of winning the Clifford Cup in a promising manner at the beginning of the game.

But as the game progressed they wore no match to the might of Kandy SC who dominated the game for the major part and proved that they were far too superior to the CH and FC in all departments.

Kandy's full back Nalaka Weerakodi was the hero of the day when who converted two tries, put over two penalties and also executed two beautiful drop goals. To contribute 16 points to Kandy's tally, of 31 points in difficult weather conditions.

It was CH and FC who scored first with a penalty by their full back Nalin Dissanayake for a Kandy offside infringement in the first few minutes of the game. To lead 3-nil.

This was short lived as Kandy's Skipper Sanjeeva Jayasinghe ran through several CH and FC defenders for 30 metres to score a breathtaking try by the corner flag which was converted by Nalaka Weerakody for Kandy to take a 7-3 lead.

CH and FC managed another penalty by Nalin Dissanayake to narrow the score to 6-7. This was followed by Nalaka Weerakody converting two more penalties to take the Kandy SC lead to 13-6 at 'Lemons'.

The second half saw CH and FC surrendering the game meekly for the Kandy to swell their score to 31-6 with two drop goals and a try by their 'Mr. Reliable' Nalaka Weerakody and tries by "New Cross Over" Dushawin Lewke and Pradeep Liyanage.

CH and FC stun CR and FC

Even though this match was played in rain and the underfoot conditions soggy the Rugby on display was entertaining with a lot of running and passing of the bail. Yet again Kandy SC has proved that they are the leading Rugby Club in Sri Lanka. Well Done Kandy SC.

On Wednesday August 31 CH and FC created a major upset in the Clifford Cup semifinals when they scored a sensational win over the much fancied CR and FC by 6 points (2 penalties) to 3 points (1 penalty) at Havelocks Park which left the spectators bewildered.

Everyone on this evening expected an easy win for CR and FC. So that they could again take on their Arch Rivals Kandy SC in another finals. But this was not to be as CH and FC eliminated them in a very close but exciting game.

For this defeat CR and FC should blame themselves as the composition of their team was lopsided where several of their regular players were not playing in their usual positions or being rested.

Their star scrum half Zulki Hamid was seen on the reserve bench right throughout the game and took the field only during the last ten minutes by which time the damage had been done.

Their experienced fly half Asanga Rodrigo was not playing in his usual position as fly half and the stand by scrum half and fly half had a miserable game which helped CH and FC to score this unexpected win.

CH and FC on this day gave a superb exhibition of tackling which was rib-bruising which saw some CR and FC players at the receiving end and centre three quarter Dilan Abeyagunawardane being carried off the grounds on a stretcher.

'It is a pity that CR and FC which had a fine season winning all the league matches (except the last) including Kandy SC in the first round. Had to bow out of the Clifford Cup in the semi-finals depriving many a rugby fan top drawer rugby in the Clifford Cup finals against the Kandy SC.

Kandy outplay Army

Kandy SC outplayed Army SC in the first semi-finals of the Clifford Cup Tourney on Tuesday August 3 at Nittawela by 21 points (1 goal, 1 try and 3 penalties) to 10 points (1 goal and 1 penalty) in pouring rain.

This match was marred by an ugly incident and the match had to be held up for a few minutes when the referee and touch judges refused to officiate.

The proceedings on this day was drab as the weather and there was no exciting rugby on display. But Kandy always looked the better team but were not allowed to score as they would have liked to by the Army players with their robust and tough approach. But eventually the better side won to enter the finals.