Kandy end first round unbeaten after earning hard fought win against hosts Havelocks, winning 20-9 in the Dialog Rugby League game.
The home team kicked off under lights and amidst a hush around the ground as favorites Kandy made their way to town for this crucial encounter.
Hosts Havelock began with their hands on the pill and kept hold of possession for most periods in the first quarter of play.
Kandy looked lethal with the little possession they had, however, mistakes crept in as they gave away valuable possession.
Richard Dharmapala was sin binned early on for an undercut charge, taking Ramesh Fernando in the air.
First points scoring opportunity came the way of the home team off a seemingly lucky offside penalty. Riza Mubarak made no mistake slotting over from in front taking the home team into the lead. (HSC 03-00 KSC )
Dulaj Perera surprised most when he stepped up from 50 meters away to slot home, extending the home sides lead. (HSC 06-00 KSC)
Both teams tried valiantly to crack the opposition defence however neither defensive broke, keeping each other in touching distance.
Kandy scrapped up plenty of opportunities, gifting field position. Nigel missed a chance at goal and after Riza and Dulaj both failed to pierce the upright, a stop start first half drew near its end.
With one final hurrah towards the line, Kandy were handed a penalty as Dushmantha Priyadarshana blatantly kicking the ball from inside ruck.
He was given his marching orders as Nigel finally got his first kick at goal cutting the deficit in half as the first half ended with the hosts taking a slender lead into halftime.
Half Time: Havelock SC 06 (2P) lead Kandy SC 03 (1P)
Kandy were under the pump, entering into the second half knowing they had to up their performance if they were to leave Colombo with anything.
That was exactly what they did, punishing the home side for giving away an unnecessary penalty. Richard Dharmapala took the quick tap, catching everyone off guard, sending over Ali Mohomaed for the first try of the game.
Nigel Ratwatta slotted over from close range taking the visitors ahead for the first time in the game. (HSC 06-10 KSC)
Kandy continued to up the ante, and were eventually rewarded with another try from Nigel himself. He was the beneficiary of a sublime offload from Wilwara as he got his arms free of the tackle. Nigel surprisingly failed with the close range kick leaving the game evenly balanced with 15 minutes to go. (HSC 06-15 KSC)
Momentum shifted following the try as the visitors were caught napping. The home team pounced on the opportunity for points as the Kandy defence was caught offside.
Riza continued his good form with the boot slotting over from 46 meters out, pegging back the visitors and setting up a nail biting final eight minutes. (HSC 09-15 KSC)
Havelocks pushed the visitors to the brink, but chance after chance went begging as the host saw the game slip through their fingers.
Kandy added the gloss on a marvellous second half capping it off with a try from Richard Dharmapala. He was at the end of a sweeping move after the visitors spread the ball from side to side.
Ratwatta failed with yet another conversion, drawing more questions about his selection ahead of Sri Lankan fullback Thilina Wijesinge.
That brought an end to a game which was not the best from both teams and did not do justice to the home team with how the score read.
Full Time: Havelock SC 09 (3P) lose to Kandy SC 20 (3T 1C 1P)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Shehan Pathirana (Kandy Flanker)
Score Breakdown
Havelock SC – Riza Mubarak 2P, Dulaj Perera 1P
Kandy SC – Ali Mohomaed 1T, Nigel Ratwatta 1T 1C 1P, Richard Dharmapala 1T
