Yet another 50 points score line for the defending champions Kandy SC as they won (7T, 6C, 1P) over the Cops. Hosts Police SC only managed to score 13 points with (2T, 1P).
Despite clear-cut superiority by the visiting side, it was very amateurish level of discipline showed by both the teams as 5 yellow cards were given (3Kandy / 2 Police) and Sharo Fernando of Police getting his second yellow and awarded a red card by the referee Rankothge in the second half.
Photo Album – Police SC v Kandy SC (Dialog Rugby League 2015/16)
Arshad Jamaldeen started in the pivotal position of fly half which led the captain Fazil Marija to center position to combine with Gayan Weerarathne. But it was Rizah Mubarak who put the first points on the board for the hosts with a 40m penaltyin the 3rd minute. Kandy forwards continued their off load skills with Dimithri Wijesinghe and Damith Dissanayaka showing-off some slick moves to off load to Suhiru Anthony to put the first score on the board with a try. Jamaldeen made the conversion look easy. (Kandy 07 – 03 Police)
Great work by Nigel Ratwatte and Roshan Weerarathne which made it easy to Marija to score in the corner although it was found to be a knock-on, despite Rankothge consulting with Irshad Cader to award the try. Jamaldeen missed the conversion. (Kandy 12 – 03 Police)
Jamaldeen nailed a penalty which had Kandy increasing the score board. Police showing some intensity went to the opposite 5m mark but could not finish it off with points. Sharo Fernando got the first yellow card in the 20th minute for aninfringement. Although Police were down with a man they still held some possession but could not convert in to points yet again.
Bilal Hassen and Mushin Faleel were the standout performers for the hosts. Mohamed Absal and Mohamed Sheriff did some running and chipping but it was not fruitful for the Cops. Lavanga Perera finding the loose ball after Faleel and Chula Susantha fumbled, scored the next try. Captain Marija made another sparkling run in the corner to score his second try just before the half time.
HT : Kandy 29 (4T, 3C, 1P) – Police 03 (1P)
Soon after the kick off Kandy hooker Damith Dissanayaka was sent to naughty chair, but it did not bother the hill country lads as Marija scored his hat-trick with a brilliant break as he foxed Rizah and Mushin in the opposite defence. Sharo’s shoulder gauge on Buwaneka Udangamuwa saw the second yellow on him and he was given the red card which put the Cops in more pressure. (Kandy 36 – 03 Police)
Speedster Vishwamithra Jayasinghe scored perhaps the try of the match with his dazzling feet coming in to play. Bilal Hassen the constantly attacking no 8 showed his power to score his sixth try of the season to lead the try scoring table. (Kandy 43 – 08 Police)
Buwaneka Udangamuwa was yellow carded over a shoulder hit on Sheriff and was followed by Thilina Wijesinghe the replacement winger directed to the naughty chair along with Kandy No8. Police with one man advantage scored a try through their half back Sudam Sooriarachchi in the left flank. Kandy showing great fitness and stamina, looked more like the champion team and Sashika Jayawardena the lock forward put the final ail on the coffin to score the 7th try and Jamaldeen’s conversion sealed Kandy yet another half century.
ThePapare Player of the match – Fazil Marija
