Kandy-Navy match called off abruptly
S. M. JIFFRY ABDEEN Kandy sports corr.
The Kandy-Navy Caltex A division league rugby match played at
Nittawela yesterday was called off 12 minutes before the final whistle.
At the time the match was called off, Kandy Sports Club were leading
36-5 collecting their points from 3 goals, 2 tries and 1 penalty try).
Navy gathered their points from one try. At half time Kandy led 24-0.
Referee Aruna Jayasekera speaking to the Daily News after the match,
said that from time to time he had to caution the players of both teams
and request them to play the game and not to go for the man.
This hardly drew any response from the players of both teams. His
hands were so full that he had to send on ‘sin bin’ Sumedha Malewana,
Eranda Weerakkody, Dilip Methruwan of Navy and Kandy SC’s Radhika
Hettiarachchi and Erande Swarnatilleke for dangerous play.
Kandy kept the scoreboard moving when their lock forward Zafeer Jhan
scored far left following a forwards charge. Full back Radhika
Hettiarachchi failed to add the extra points. (Kandy 5-0).
In the 12th minute Kandy’s three quarters moved the ball sweetly and
winger Sameera Silva scored far left. Radhika Hettiarachchi failed to
add the extra points Kandy led 10-0.
The game was now hotting up and 10 minutes later Kandy’s stand off
Fazil Marija collecting a pass from Prasad Chaturanga ran along the line
nearly 50 metres warding off challenges, to come around and score under
the posts. Radhika Hettiarachchi added the extra points. Kandy 17-0.
In the 40th minute of this half Kandy’s full back Radhika
Hettiarachchi made a powerful run to sore far left and Fazil Marija
added the extra points. Kandy led 24-0 at the breather.
Kandy scored their fifth try in the 10th minute of the second half
when winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe made a blistering 40 metre run with a
sequence of side stepping to score under the posts.
Fazil Marija added the extra points. Kandy 31-0. In the 15th minute
Navy were awarded a penalty inside Kandy ‘22’ and their scrum half
Suranga Pushpakumara taking the short tap sneaked over to score near the
left post. Full back Erande Weerakkody missed an easy kick at goal to
make it 31-5.
In the 25th minute, Kandy’s centre Pradeep Liyanage was seen in full
control of the ball and almost scored when he was brought down with a
dangerous neck tackle by Navy’s No. 8 Sumedha Malewana.
Referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and a few minutes
later the referee called off the match with 12 minutes play remaining.
Referee: Aruna Jayasekera. |