The Kings of Rugby in Sri Lanka, Kandy Sports Club, proved themselves yet again as they became unbeaten champions for the 8th consecutive year and lifted their 23rd title in the last week of the Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022/23.
Kandy SC v CR&FC
Full Time: 29 – 10
It was just a matter of getting through the formalities for Kandy, who already had the trophy in their bag coming into the last week. However, the boys from Longdon Place had other ideas in the first half, where they dominated the game. CR scored all the points in the first half while Kandy struggled to get a grip on the game.
To open the scores, Chathura Senevirathne added an early penalty and they followed it up with converted try through Thenuka Nanayakkara. CR took a 10-0 lead going into lemons.
However, the 2nd half went all downhill for the Reds. They were down to 14 a couple of times and on both occasions, Kandy pounced on the advantage and scored two converted tries through Lavanga Perera and Kavindu Perera.
From there on it was all Kandy, who added the third try through Mohommad Yakoob Ali. Before the final whistle, Asiri Senevirathne crossed over for Kandy’s fourth try, to put the icing on the cake.
Air Force SC v Police SC
Full Time: 11 – 5
The Plate Championship decider took place at Police Park on Friday between Air Force SC and Police SC. It was the Airmen who capped off a stunning season as they beat the Cops by 11-5.
The visitors started the scoring with an early penalty in the first half through Nuwan Perera. It proved to be the only points scored in the first half. At the
beginning of the second half, Perera slotted in another penalty and this was followed up with the first try of the match through Rumesh Ramadas. Police tried to come back into the game with a try from Heshan Thilakarathne at the hour mark but that’s all they could muster as time ran out.
Army SC v CH&FC
Full Time: 60 – 12
Army SC hammered CH&FC in a try fest at Panagoda. Both teams were out of any title contention but they were determined to end the season on a high. It was Army who stepped up in the game with a stunning display of rugby in their own back yard.
Soldiers took the lead in the first half by 24 points to 7 and in the second half CH only managed to add a solitary try while the hosts added another 6 tries to take them over the 50-point mark.
Ashan Bandara and Lasantha Kumara added 2 tries apiece while Dhanuka Wijethilake, Mohommad Rifan, Ravindu Amarasiri, Nalan Premarathne and Manoj Kumara added a try each for Army. For CH, the two tries came from Udara Jayapala.
Navy SC v Havelock SC
Full Time: 26 – 6
Havelocks SC’s horrible second half of the tournament came to disappointing end as Navy SC finished the season on a high with 26-6 win over the Park Club. Throughout the 80 minutes, Havies only managed two penalties through Sandesh Jayawickrama while Navy crossed the whitewash four times to secure a bonus point.
Tries from Harsha Maduranga, Thilina Weerasinghe, Dhananjaya Senevirathne and Deshan Vimukthi earned the Sailors a much deserved win at Havelock Park. The hosts failed to win a single game in the Super Round as they ended the season with 6 losses.
