Kandy thrash Cops 79-3

Kandy Sports Corr

Defending Caltex Clifford Cup champions Kandy Sports Club outclassed Police Sports by 79 points (7 goals, 5 tries) to 3 (1 drop goal) to storm into the final of the Clifford Cup knock-out rugby tournament at the semi finals played at the Nittawela rugby stadium in Kandy yesterday.

At lemons Kandy were in complete control leading 36-0.

The power play put up by the Kandy ruggerites completely baffled the cops sending them into a state of disarray. Kandy had the three ‘Ps’ - pace, possession and position and adding to their power play which left the cops flustered. When the long blast was sounded it would have been like sweet and soothing balm for them.

It was full back Radhika Hettiarachchi who kept the scoreboard moving in the fifth minute with a try which went unconverted.

Ten minutes later scrum half Saliya Kumara retrieved the ball from the ruck and No. 8 Imran Bisthamin for a brilliant try far right. Saliya Kumara added the extra points. Kandy led 12-0.

In the 17th minute Kandy won possession in the line out and fly half Fazil Marija sent a quick pass to winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who scored far right. This went unconverted. Kandy 17-0.

In the 30th minute Kandy’s forwards took play deep into police territory and lock forward Zafeer Jhan went over near the posts. Saliya Kumara added the extra points. Kandy led 24-0.

Five minutes later once again Kandy’s forwards showed plenty of fire and prop Jeewa Galgamuwa powered his way to score mid right and this try went unconverted. Kandy 29-0.

Almost on the stroke of the short whistle winger Sameera Silva made a daring break midfield and the ball changed hands to fly half Marija who scored mid left. Saliya Kumara added the extra points.

Kandy led 36-0. The teams changed ends but Kandy continued to torment their opponents which exposed the chinks in the Police armour.

In the 4th minute of the second half Kandy won a line out and fly half Marija collecting the ball from Buddhi Talagampola sent winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe to score far left. Saliya Kumara added the extra points with a brilliant kick. Kandy 43-0.

In the 10th minute of this, fly half Fazil Marija was replaced by Prasad Chaturanga.

In the 12th minute Kandy won a line out deep inside Police territory and prop forward pounded his way to score mid left.

Saliya Kumara failed to convert. Kandy led 48-0.

Next it was the turn of Sameera Silva to score when Sanjeewa Jayasinghe covered some distance and slung a pass to him. Saliya Kumara added the extra points. Kandy led 55-0. Kandy continued their scoring spree and winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe scored his third try of the match with a power packed run. Saliya Kumara added the extra points. Kandy led 62-0.

In the 39th minute of play Kandy once again won possession in the line out and flanker Sean Wijesinghe simply sliced through cops defence to score mid left.

Saliya Kumara added the extra points. Kandy 69-0.

Two more tries by Pradeep Liyanage and Dhanushka Pusphakumara saw Kandy topping the 79 point mark. In the dying stages of the game Police fly half Harshana Wijeweera executed a 30 metre drop goal to reduce the lead to 3-79.

Dilroy Fernando refereed with Tuan Dole at match commissioner.