Kandy Sports Club commenced their title hunt with a commanding 61-14 victory over the newly promoted Sri Lions in their opening week fixture of the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25. The game took place at Nittawela.
Chanaka Chandimal kicked off the debut game for Sri Lions in the Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League in style, as they dominated the early exchanges. The forwards delivered a solid performance, putting Kandy under pressure and forcing a few unforced errors. After five minutes of relentless attacking, the Sri Lions finally broke the deadlock. Chandimal delivered a brilliant long cut-off pass to skipper Kevin Dixon, who timed his offload perfectly to winger Aaron Perera, allowing him to score the opening try. Skipper Dixon then nailed a fabulous conversion from the corner, giving the visitors a perfect start. (Kandy 00-07 Sri Lions)
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Kandy felt the mounting pressure early on, which was evident when they opted to go for points from a penalty they received. However, to everyone’s surprise, Tharinda Ratwatte missed the kick. The miss didn’t cost them much, as the Sri Lions continued to concede penalties. Kandy capitalized by using their lineout effectively, with hooker Dilshad Fareed crossing over for a try off the back of a rolling maul, easing the nerves. Ratwatte redeemed himself with a superb conversion from the corner, bringing Kandy back into the game. (Kandy 07-07 Sri Lions)
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Back-to-back rugby action was on display as Sri Lions skipper Kevin Dixon made a brilliant break, bringing them into Kandy’s 22-meter area. Spotting a mismatch in the Kandy defense, Chanaka Chandimal executed a perfect cross-kick to Rumesh Ramdas, who collected the ball and stepped inside to beat the last defender, crossing over for a stunning try that silenced the Kandy faithful. This time, Dixon had an easy conversion, which he slotted over effortlessly. (Kandy 07-14 Sri Lions)
The game was played at a high pace, with Kandy taking control of proceedings this time. Sri Lions struggled with discipline, conceding a string of penalties. Tharinda Ratwatte capitalized on the opportunity, opting to kick for points and landing a perfect kick to narrow the deficit.
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Kandy continued to dominate the game, executing a brilliant set move that showcased their precision and skill. Nigel Ratwatte delivered a pop pass to Tharinda Ratwatte, who offloaded beautifully to Danushka Ranjan. Running a sharp angle, Ranjan sliced through the Sri Lions defense, drawing in the last defender before making a perfectly timed pass to skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara, who dashed over the whitewash to give Kandy the lead. Tharinda Ratwatte added the extras with an easy conversion and, a few minutes later, slotted another three points from a penalty as the Sri Lions’ indiscipline continued to cost them. (Kandy 20-14 Sri Lions)
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In the final move of the half, Kandy’s backs once again proved pivotal. Tharinda Ratwatte broke through three Sri Lions defenders, making his way deep into their 22-meter area. With an audacious pass, he set up Danushka Ranjan, who crossed over for the hosts’ third try. Ratwatte, the architect of the play, capped it off with another flawless conversion, giving Kandy a commanding lead heading into the break.
Half Time: Kandy SC 27 (3T,3C,2P) – Sri Lions 14 (2T,2C)
Kandy started the second half right where they left off, capitalizing on the increasing penalty count from the Sri Lions. Tharinda Ratwatte made no mistake, slotting another penalty to further extend Kandy’s lead. (Kandy 30-14 Sri Lions)
Sri Lions put together some solid attacking moves but failed to convert them into points. On the defensive end, Aaron Perera made a heroic try-saving tackle on Heshan Jansen to deny Kandy. However, Kandy bounced back to secure the bonus-point try. Their backs displayed slick passing, with Tharinda Ratwatte linking up beautifully with Kavindu Perera to create space. Perera then delivered a well-timed inside pass back to Ratwatte, who crossed over to extend Kandy’s lead. (Kandy 37-14 Sri Lions)
Kandy’s forwards showcased their dominance by demolishing a Sri Lions scrum and turning over the ball. The backs capitalized immediately with a swift counterattack. Kavindu Perera drew in two defenders before delivering a timely pass to Heshan Jansen, who surged forward and got close to the try line. Jansen offloaded to Asiri Senevirathne, who gained a few more meters before popping the ball to Dahan Wickramarachchi, who dived over to score Kandy’s fifth try.(Kandy 42-14 Sri Lions)
The floodgates opened for Kandy as the Sri Lions’ defense fell into disarray. The Kandy backs seized another opportunity when Dulaj Nawodya fumbled a high ball. Kandy winger Dinal Ekanayake capitalized, making a strong run towards the try line before delivering a clever basketball-style pass to replacement prop Ethan Schneider-Loos, who powered over to score. Tharinda Ratwatte added another solid conversion, further cementing Kandy’s dominance in the game. (Kandy 49-14 Sri Lions)
With the game already secured, Kandy played freely, shifting the ball through the wider channels from right to left. Chathura Soysa powered his way through the Sri Lions defenders to score another try. Kandy then put the final nail in the coffin to kickstart their title hunt as Tharindu Chathuranga ran under the posts to score their eighth try. Tharinda Ratwatte added the easy conversion, sealing a dominant performance for Kandy.
Full Time: Kandy SC 61 (8T,6C,3P) – Sri Lions 14 (2T,2C)
Player of the Match: Chathura Soysa (Kandy SC)
Points Breakdown
Kandy SC 61
Dilshad Fareed 1T, Srinath Sooriyabandara 1T, Danushka Ranjan 1T, Dahan Wickramarachchi 1T, Ethan Schneider-Loos 1T, Chathura Soysa 1T, Tharindu Chathuranga1T, Tharinda Ratwatte 1T,6C,3P
Sri Lions 14
Aaron Perera 1T, Rumesh Ramdas 1T, Kevin Dixon 2C
