Kavindu De Costa's try off the 5m quick tap was the only score for the CR lads. The other was a penalty try.
The Kandy lions proved too strong for CR&FC last evening at Longdon place, continuing their unbeaten streak with 24(4T,2C) points to 12(1T,1Penalty Try) in the 5th week of the Dialog A Division Rubgy League.
The game kicked off at 3.45pm under gloomy conditions at Longdon place with Tharinda Ratwatte putting in a contesting ball for the Kandy 2nd rower. The boys from CR&FC looked like they were thirsty for a victory after last weeks’ upset against Army SC. CR was very strong with their defense in the first minute of the game with thumping tackles coming in from Omalka Gooneratne but unfortunately gave away a penalty from the hands of their number 4. Kandy comfortably got out of their danger zone by Nigel Ratwatte’s boot. CR’s solid consistent defense awarded them a penalty to finally take control of the ball in the 5th minute. Unfortunately not too long after gaining possession of the ball, an infringement was called against CR for falling on the ruck once again giving Kandy the opportunity to gain territory.
Kandy made a couple of threatening moves to get close to the try line within the first few minutes of the game but failed to put the icing on the cake due to handling errors. Ten minutes into the game, Kandy was the first team to put points on the board as Anurudda Wilwara fitted through a small gap to cross the try line from Marija’s pass. Nigel Ratwatte took on the kicking duties for Kandy and had a good start with successful first conversion.
(Kandy 07- 00 CR)
With the ball going back and forth after the restart, Chamod Fernando put the ball high up in the air only to find his counterpart Nigel collecting it from the 50m and gaining good yards unfortunately leading to a knock on after a convincing pass which could have led to a try. Another penalty to Kandy saw them building up momentum but losing the ball to CR who made use of the turnover and found their first points being place at the left corner flag as Kavindu de Costa crosses over for the home team. Tharinda Ratwatte was unsuccessful with the kick.
(Kandy 07- 05 CR)
Kandy conceded a lot of penalties during the 2nd quarter of the game but a try went to waste when Gayan Weeraratne broke through and offloaded to Danushka Ranjan who had to give his team mate a simple pass butmiscommunication led to the ball going into touch with a poor pass to Wilwara. Minutes later Jason Dissanayake broke through the CR defence with strong handoff to score a 45m try for Kandy before going into half time.
HT score:- Kandy 12(2T,1C-05(1T) CR
The rains started pouring down as the second half was about to begin. Not much was able to be done by both teams due to the rain muddying up the ground. Ten minutes into the second half Kandy forward Buwaneka Udangamuwa crossed the try line with a good hit to find Nigel Ratwatte putting on the extras.
Kandy 19-05 CR
Kandy was constantly threatening the CR forwards with strong pick and go moves for 3 minutes straight in the CR 15m but CR were determined to get the ball out of their danger zone and finally did but unfortunately for the boys at Longdon place, Gayan Weeraratne collected the ball and put in a beautiful chip kick that planted itself at the CR 5m only to find Danushka Ranjan with a magic moment diving from the 10m and collecting the ball from the 5m on the way to the try line.
Kandy 24-05 CR
Ashan Darling of Kandy receiving a yellow card in the 60th minute was of a great disadvantage to the Kandy scrum which finally led to CR gaining territory and threatening the Kandy try line for the first time. Finally after all their efforts CR was awarded a penalty try during the 67th minute of the game bringing the final score to 24 points to 12 in favour of Kandy who took home the victory once again.
Full Time- Kandy 24 (4T, 2C) – 12 (1T, 1PT) CR&FC
Match Referee- Dinka Pieris
ThePapare.com Player of the Match- Buwaneka Udangamuwa (Kandy SC)
The score break down
Kandy SC
Tries
Anurudda Wilwara, Jason Dissanayake, Buwaneka Udangamuwa, Danushka Ranjan.
Conversions
Nigel Ratwatte(2)
Bookings(Yellow Card)- Ashan DarlingCR
Tries
Kavindu de Costa,
Penalty Try.
