Kandy Sports Club staged a superb comeback to overcome a mighty Havelock SC offense and take home the win with a 22-20 score.
The first quarter of the game dictated the pace of things to come with both sides coming to the fray with all guns blazing. The intensity of the game at the onset was at such a high that once may have wondered if the fitness of the teams would last the full game. But last it did, and what a spectacle of a game it was.
The two teams dished out scintillating rugby with the level of the game being at the best it can, sans a few arguments and stoppages for issues in the crowd. Both teams showed their class and the break during the last week had boded well for both teams as they had upped their game considerably. It was a hotly contested affair in the first half but it was a half for penalties as both sides exchanged kicks at goal with Dulaj Perera and Arshad Jamaldeen doing the duties for Havies and Kandy respectively.
Dulaj Perera was 100% on his penalty opportunities scoring 12 points in the half while Arshad Jamaldeen slotted one out of two opportunities (3 points). Dulaj’s contributions were the only points for Havies in the first half whilst “Colossal Cloete” went over for a try for the visitors in addition to Jamaldeen’s 3fer. Chris Cloete made an absolute menace of himself with the opposition in both offense and defence continuing to be the go-to man for Kandy.
At the short whistle the host took the lead into the sheds with the score line reading 12-8. Havies looked the side with the upper hand in the half, albeit marginally. The hosts three quarter line combined well with the likes of Danushka Ranjan and Tahitua Villiami. Additionally the forwards also played out of their skins to reckon with the mix-experienced Kandy 8. The Havelock youngsters in its 8 did extremely well to contain their opposite numbers with Shenal Deelaka, Ganuka Dissanayaka and latest addition Ganindu Lakshan all making their presence felt. Cross-over from CH&FC Ganindu Dissanayaka did justice to his side with his reach in the line-outs as well as in securing ball from the kick-off particularly.
The first half was marred with a few on field as well as off field incidents with the players and spectators all being on the edge for this all-important exciting encounter.
Half Time – Havelocks 12 (4P): Kandy 8 (1P, 1T)
The third quarter of the game saw the hosts having to defend for most of it with the Kandy forwards piling on the pressure having succeeded in getting to the 5-meter line. The close quarter play of the visitors, pressured the men in pink relentlessly with the hope crossing the line once again. In the fray Jason Melder was yellow carded and was sent to cool-off, as Kandy SC continued to batter the hosts at their gates.
Despite Kandy SC looking like scoring a turnaround by the hosts saw good hands getting the ball across to Rehan Theagarajah who ran a lovely line to score from about 60 meters out. Dulaj Perera was unsuccessful with the conversion from wide left, the scores read 17-8 in favour of the hosts. Havelocks were looking to capitalize on their good work in the first half but Kandy was looking immensely threatening in the second half despite the score line going against them.
Kandy started to use Oscar Ouma, their battering ram, to get the upper hand but Ouma was marked by the opposition. Arshad Jamaldeen’s boots were the clincher in the next few minutes as he slotted in a two penalties and a drop-goal to put 9 points on the board in quick succession and took the score to 20-17. Jamaldeen’s efforts kept the visitors in the game and they were gunning for the win.
The visitors took the momentum from the points and kept the pressure on the hosts. With minutes remaining in the game the hosts were trying to hold on to possession and run down the clock as the forward picked-hit and went to ground. Kandy though managed to secure ball through a turnover and drove with their forwards to the line. Chris Cloete was once more in the thick of things with his powerful hits and runs. Living dangerously as the hosts were defending for their lives but the momentum was too much against them as Kishore Jehan scored a push over try with the brilliant efforts of the forward pack. The UAE referee Mauris Putin did not allow the conversion to be kick as Jamaldeen took a long stand.
The ensuing kick-off led to the closure of the game and the hosts did not have the luxury of time to turn the score around, as Kandy SC took the game with a brilliant come back having trailed by 12 points, two scores away from a lead.
Full time – Kandy 22 (3P, 1DG, 2T) Havelocks 20 (5P, 1T)
It was arguably the best game of the season with the rugby being dished out at an extreme high level. Both sides played their hearts out and the spectators got their monies worth with the game.
ThePapare.com man of the match – Christopher Cloete
