Dialog Clifford cup knockouts semifinal between Kandy and CR&FC was played at Nittawela. Birthday boy Sean Wijesinghe’s men beat the Reds and will host Police SC at the final this Saturday.
The visitors drew against Kandy in the second round league match 27 all, however, the men in Red could not score until the final minute of the game despite having a few chances in the opposite red zone in both halves.
Kanchana Ramanayaka missed three penalties in the first half with one hitting the uprights where no CR chases were on, ultimately Fazil Marija kicked in to touch. Kandy went in to the opposite red zone three times and gave away the possession for CR to come out of jail.
A well-defended game all the bodies were tested the with physicality and fitness in a hot n humid weather where also the ground looked dry and surface hard. As a result 1 minute break was taken in the first quarter. Oscar Ouma who started ahead of Koto Pongi made a stunning impact, Kanchana Ramanayaka’s fingers accidentally notched in Ouma’s eyes and it looked severe, but he was recovered after 8 minutes of sitting out and made the difference in winning.
Damith Dissanayake, the Kandy hooker had good consistency in his throw and was immense in the attacking play. Almost by the first quarter Richard Dharmapala squeezed in for the try as CR defense had no clue on his running angle. Roshan Weerarathne added the extras. (Kandy 07 – 00 CR)
As the game moved on both teams had equal territorial advantage however, could not capitalize possession and convert them in to points. Few minutes before the half time CR had 4 penalties in a row. The first one captain Costa decided to put under pressure Kanchana for a 45m penalty which failed. Then CR had two kickable 30m penalties, Costa decided to go to touch and failed to score from the lineout due some extraordinary Kandy defense. 7 – 3 is much better than 7 – 0 going for the breather if CR could have gone for three points.
Half Time : Kandy 07 – 00 CR
With the restart discipline was an issue in the game. CR lock Wasaba Senarath was sin-binned by referee Pradeep Fernando. Yohan Taylor making two changes so rightly as he replaced both the prop forwards with 5 minutes in play.
Kandy started accelerating the attacking rhythm was back and earned a brilliant team worked try from inside their own 40 m on the right and finished from the left end in the try line. The catalyst was the Kenyan Ouma who breaks through the line then simple inside pass to Anurudda Wilwara who said thank you very much. (Kandy 14 – 00 CR )
With Costa’s restart Kandy on verge with yet a brilliant attack this time around it was Marija who broke the line and scored a scintillating 65m running try. Roshan missed the conversion but everything from there seems to be going Kandy’s way including Richard’s miss kick which was won by Gayan Rathnayaka but it was off side.
Kandy with a 10m penalty Roshan went to take the tap in fact it was cheeky as the ball was on the ground and he flicked it to Marija from his foot, Marija walked two steps and quickly started sprinting – CR defence in the try line was not certain if to tackle or not, however they did tackle Marija but fell in the try line. Pradeep Fernando after a chat with his assistant Rankothge, disallowed as a try. (Kandy 19 – 00 CR )
Costa playing off side was sent out for ten minutes, Jamaldeen and Pongi came in to the field for Marija and Ouma. CR tried their best in the opposite territory but not finishing favorably. Saliya Kumara played against his brother Naleen Kumara in the last 10 minutes. The visitors infringed at the ruck which led Roshan to extend the lead in a comfort zone. Robbie Malneek finally made a break and he was well supported by the forwards, Arun Kumar managed to come out of embarrassment with a try in the last minute.
Final Score Kandy 22 (T3, C2, P1) – CR 07 (T1, C1)
