Kandy stay unbeaten, beat Police 37-9

Defending champions Kandy Sports Club defeated Police Sports Club without much effort by 36 points (3 goals, 3 tries) to a (2 penalties, 1 drop goal) in their Rugby League tournament match played at Nittawela yesterday. At half time Kandy SC led 26-6.

Kandy had a major share both in the set scrum and line outs and also excelled in the loose play. Police displayed more fitness under their new fitness coach former Sri Lanka boxer Inspector Bandula.Early in the second half with the match firmly wrapped up, Kandy relaxed and made no less than six changes, trying out some of their youngsters.

This put the brakes on their scoring. At that time Kandy were leading 31-6. Kandy opened scoring in the 15th minute when they won a scrum mid field and scrum half Saliya Kumara sent a pass to winger Sameera Silva who covered about 30 metres to touch down under the post. Full back Radhika Hettiarachchi added the extra points.

Two minutes late cops reduced the lead through a 30 metre drop goal executed by fly half Harshana Wijeweera. In the 26th minute Kandy scored again when they won a scrum a few metres from the Police line and flanker Sean Wijesinghe powered his way to score mid left which went unconverted Kandy 11-3.

In the 33rd minute centre Pradeep Liyanage collecting a pass from Saliya Kumara ran about 30 metres slipping tackles to score under the post. Full back Radhika Hettiarachchi added the extra points. Kandy led 19-3.

Four minutes from the lemons break it was Pradeep Liyanage who collected a well calculated "punt" by centre Sajith Mallikkarachchi breezed his way about 35 metres to once again touch down under the post. Radhika Hettiarachchi added the extra for Kandy to lead 26-3.

Just before the short break fly half Harshana Wijeweera put over a 35 metre penalty to reduce the lead to 6-26.

The second half did not produce any sparkling rugby as Kandy made several changes which affected their mobility but the cops did not take advantage of this.

Two more tries by winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe which saw Kandy increase their lead to 36-6.

Almost on the stroke of the long blast Harshana Wijeweera put over another penalty for Police.

D. Nimal refereed.