Kandy Sports Club evaded the Police forces to advance into the semi finals of the Clifford Cup after a very interesting game of rugby this evening at the Pallekelle, the Trinity College Rugby stadium. The concluding score line stood at 41 against 30 points.
Held at a neutral venue to advocate fair play at the Pallekelle grounds, the fanfare at Pallekelle witnessed a great display of rugby from both sides and at the end of the day, Kandy Sports Club emerged as the victor who get the ticket to advance further in the tournament. The Police team remained a similar outfit which played the league series but Kandy Sports Club had brought in some changes with Sean Wijesinghe, Damith Dissanayaka and Fazil Marija not making the team.
Kandy as always started off matters in style with the big lad Samisoni going over the try line in the very first minutes of play on the right corner flag. The forward maul was a result of a line out at the death and Roshan Weeraratna effortlessly converted to add the two points. Police SC’s reply came in an unanticipated manner right after the restart when Manpilu Lapana edged inside towards the Kandy line to score under the post. The first try for the visitors did not have a successful conversion as Kandy yet possessed a two point lead.
Kandy replied violently showcasing their valorous form of play as Gayan Weeraratna executed a perfect set play to make Lavanga Perera to score. Roshan Weeraratna converted the try as score for the hosts climbed up to 14 points. Kandy’s third try for the evening was again through their forwards with a forward rolling maul which allowed Damien Rattwatte to score. Though the try went unconverted the deficit was on the rise as scores 19-5.
Police however got momentum on their side with the Fijian Centre Apisaia doing the honors as he strode in through the Kandy defense to score under the post while later on converting it himself. Just before the call for lemons was blown, Apisaia kicked a drop goal successfully off 40m to bring down the difference to just four points as scores read 15-19.
The second spoke volumes of how Kandy performed over their counterparts even without the presence of the full side. The first ten minutes of play saw both Gayan Weeraratna and Samisoni crossing for unconverted tries. It was an equally poised battle with Police coming in with a strong reply by the flyhalf Lapana who repeated his act in the first half score. With hope yet living through the fans of the Police supporters after the try where the score read 22-29 which was a clear indication that one more try would make momentum switch sides. But to the disappointment, the additional try never saw light. As long as Police scored, the Kandyans replied to extend the lead and increase the deficit.
The Fijian No8 for Kandy Sailasi was the next to do the honors as a powerful run from Anuruddha Wilwara covering over 50m chipped in a pass over to Sailasi who scored in the outer flag. The try went converted under Roshan Weeraratna. Police however did not give up on their players with tries emerging from Udara Chanaka and a penalty from Apisaia which brought the scores to 30 in reply to Kandy’s 34.
However everything ended up in Kandy’s favor when Oshan Perera crossed over for the try which sealed the victory for Kandy in the dying stages of the game. The game ended 41 points in reply to Police’s 30.
It was an impressive display of rugby by both teams with Police living up to their performance capabilities. This game showcased more of local talent with a minimum contribution from the overseas players from both sides. Police need to repent on their mistakes which they incurred as those cost them at least three tries. Police SC failed in support play which their opponents utilized to overturn possession. In conclusion Police SC lived up to their expected potentials but at the end of the day Kandy emerged victorious.
A visible person in the Kandy side was fullback Saliya Kumara. Starting as fullback for the second time this year, he showcased his display of talent on the field with him being responsible for many interceptions at the death. ThePapare crowns him as the most valued player for the evening as likes are such that he would continue to resume playing in his favorite position in the upcoming games as well.
