Week two of the Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022 finished off on Saturday with few thrilling results. A few games went right down to the wire as Kandy SC, Havelocks SC, Army SC and CH&FC registered victories in the week before Christmas break.
Kandy SC v CR&FC
Full time: 13-11
Former reds player Tharinda Ratwatte’s late penalty secured a thrilling 13-11 victory to remain on top of the table for Kandy SC at Longdon Place on Saturday.
This was poised to be a thrilling encounter and it certainly lived up to the expectations. In the first half, it was a penalty from Ratwatte which divided the two teams.
The second half was a heated affair between the two sides. Ratwatte scored the first and only converted try of the game for Kandy SC to gain a 3-point lead going into the hour mark. In the 70th minute, Vageesha Weerasinghe went over for the hosts and got back the lead. Unfortunately for CR, Lasindu Karunathilake was sin-binned in the 72nd minute, and it paved way for the visitors to pile up the pressure and eventually a chance for Ratwatte to slot in a penalty which he did ever so easily.
Havelocks SC v Air Force SC
Full time: 36-35
Havelock SC held their nerve unlike last week to beat Air Force SC by 36-35 at Rathmalana on Saturday. The park boys not only won the game, they also secure the bonus try scoring 5 tries through Shenal Dias, Mithun Hapugoda, Dinuk Senevirathne, Randitha Warnapura and Azmeer Fajudeen. Air Force SC too secured bonus points scoring four tries which included a penalty try.
CH&FC v Navy SC
Full time: 34-20
CH&FC put together a dominant performance against Navy SC beating the sailors by 34 points to 20 at the Racecourse grounds on Friday. The real star power of the Gymkhana Club scored five tries through Samuel Ogbebor, Prasath Madushanka, Soorya Dodangoda and Ravidu Hettiarachchi to secure the bonus point.
Army SC v Police SC
Full time: 25-23
Army SC shrugged off the humiliating defeat they suffered in the first week against Kandy SC to secure a stunning late win against Police SC by 25 points to 23 at the Air Force Grounds on Friday. It was Army’s go-to man Sudaraka Dikkumbura who came up with the goods scoring a late try to steal the win from the Cops.
The League will take a break for Christmas next weekend and will resume just before the dawn of the New Year.
29th December
Navy SC v Havelock SC
At Welisara
The Park Boys will be determined to keep their winning streak intact against the Sailors before the new year. Sailors having suffered a huge loss at the hands of CH&FC will be looking to feed off their home support and spoil the party for Havies.
30th December
Army SC v CH&FC
At Race Course
CH&FC looked lethal last weekend and in this form, given the star power in the side, CH&FC looks like a formidable side this season. They will enjoy having Soldiers over at their home ground, and they will be determined to keep their winning form intact stepping into the new year.
30th December
CR&FC v Police SC
At Longdon Place
It was a heartbreak for the spirited young CR&FC side who suffered a close defeat against Kandy SC. But they should take heart from their performance against the defending champions and carry it through the tournament. Police who had lost both their games will have it tough to beat CR in their own backyard.
31st December
Kandy SC v Air Force SC
At Nittawala
The defending champions will host Air Force SC on New Year’s Eve at Nittawala. The pundits will predict Kandy SC to win the game but Air Force are the dark horses this season having already beaten CH&FC and almost beat Havelocks last weekend. They will be determined to give their best and put on a good show for the fans on New Year’s Eve.
