Kandy Sports Club maintained their unbeaten streak with a dominant 43-22 victory over Police Sports Club in their Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 clash at Police Park.
Police Sports Club faced the daunting challenge of taking on title contenders Kandy Sports Club to wrap up Week 8, with Naveen Kanishka kicking off the game. The home side dominated the early exchanges but failed to convert possession into points as Kandy’s defense held firm.
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In the 11th minute, Kandy scrum-half Heshan Jansen took a quick tap penalty from the 40-meter mark, bringing play close to the try line. However, a well-read interception by Malith Mihisara disrupted Kandy’s second-phase attack. Police attempted to clear their lines after the turnover, but Kandy hooker Dilshad Fareed produced a solid ruck turnover. Not only did Fareed win possession, but he also powered through multiple defenders to score the opening try for the visitors, with Tharinda Ratwatte slotting the conversion with ease. (Police 00-07 Kandy)
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Kandy found their rhythm after the first score, but a strong defensive effort by Lahiru Thilakarathne saw Police regain possession from a Kandy lineout. However, their momentum was short-lived as Primesh Danushka’s box kick was charged down by Thilina Bandara, who quickly gathered the loose ball and made crucial meters before spotting flanker Tharindu Chathuranga in support. A well-timed pass sent Chathuranga under the posts for Kandy’s second try, with Ratwatte once again adding the extras. (Police 00-14 Kandy)
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Kandy was reduced to 14 men after Dahan Wickramarachchi received a yellow card for a no-arms tackle, but despite sustained pressure from Police, their defense held firm. As halftime approached, skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara ignited a brilliant attacking move, slicing through the defense to bring play within five meters of the try line. Sensing an opportunity, Danushka Ranjan exploited the blindside as the Police defense shifted to the opposite flank, diving over to finish a superb move and extend Kandy’s lead at the break.
Half Time: Police SC 00 – Kandy SC 19 (3T,2C)
Kandy wasted no time in the second half as Tharinda Ratwatte kicked to the corner for a five-meter lineout following a scrum infringement by Police. Although the rolling maul was initially halted, Kandy’s forwards-maintained pressure with a series of pick-and-go plays. Dahan Wickramarachchi made a strong carry, bringing Kandy inches short of the line before Malitha Wijesundara powered over to secure the bonus point try. (Police 00-24 Kandy)
Kandy struck again moments later, this time from a center scrum near the halfway mark. Scrum-half Heshan Jansen made a blistering run to the 22-meter line before spreading the ball left. Thilina Bandara executed a quick short pass to Dahan Wickramarachchi, who spotted a gap, fended off the last defender, and crashed under the posts. Ratwatte added the extras. Kandy’s relentless attack continued as quick ball movement from Jansen to Ratwatte unlocked the Police defense. A slick combination between Nigel Ratwatte and Tharinda Ratwatte set up skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara for another clinical finish. (Police 00-38 Kandy)
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Police responded with a series of tactical substitutions that shifted the momentum in their favor. Veteran Hirantha Perera took a quick tap when Kandy’s defense was unorganized, overpowering Kavindu Perera to score the first try for the Cops. They struck again minutes later when Prince Chamara executed an inch-perfect grubber kick, which Akash Madusanka collected before offloading to Shane Hopwood. Hopwood then found Malith Mihisara on the wing, who dotted down in the corner for Police’s second try. (Police 10-38 Kandy)
After conceding twice, Kandy regrouped and executed a well-structured backs move. Quick hands from Tharinda Ratwatte to Wajid Faumy saw Faumy draw in two defenders before releasing winger Dinal Ekanayake, who sprinted through the Police defense, fending off Yehan Bulathsinghala to cross for another try. (Police 10-43 Kandy)
Despite the heavy defeat, Police ended the game on a high note with two quick tries. Prince Chamara once again ignited the attack with a quick tap, making valuable meters before delivering a no-look, back of the hand pass to Hirantha Perera, who dived over for his second try. Yehan Bulathsinghala converted. In the final moments, Police capitalized on a five-meter scrum, stringing together a few phases before replacement scrum-half Shane Hopwood sold a dummy and dived over for the bonus point try, closing the game on a positive note despite Kandy’s dominant performance.
Full Time: Police SC 22 (4T,1C) – Kandy SC 43 (7T,4C)
Player of the Match: Heshan Jansen (Kandy SC)
Points Breakdown
Police SC 22
Hirantha Perera 2T, Malith Mihisara 1T, Shane Hopwood 1T, Yehan Bulathsinghala 1C
Kandy SC 43
Dilshad Fareed 1T, Tharindu Chathuranga 1T, Danushka Ranjan 1T, Malitha Wijesundara 1T, Dahan Wickramarachchi 1T, Srinath Sooriyabandara 1T, Dinal Ekanayake 1T, Tharinda Ratwatte 4C
