Kandy Sports Club blew away a Singapore team which visited Nittawela for a pre season game before the club season kicks off in a few weeks time in Colombo
The Singapore outfit who arrived here was a representation of their national side as many players from different clubs in Singapore were seen in action at the hill capital stadium Kandy amidst a scarce crowd who turned out to watch the entertainment. The game ended at 44 points to 14 points in favour of the hosts Kandy Sports Club. 6 tries 4 conversions and 2 penalties resulted in Kandy’s 44 points while 2 converted tries gave Singapore the 14 points. At lemons it was 22 -07 in Kandy’s favour.
The sevens tournament had ended last week and all the big guns had returned to the club for this week’s game. First choice names like Richard Dharmapala, Dhanushka Ranjan, Jason Dissanayake and Danush Dayan who were rested in the Western Asia Club championship returned back to the starting XV.
Fasil Marija made a comeback to his usual fly half position. He was the first to score in the game after capitalizing from a mistake of the Singapore fly half early in the game. Nigel Ratwatte added the extras as their usual kicker Thilina Wijesinghe had been rested. (Kandy 07-00 Singapore)
Fazil then made an excellent break before offloading it to Richard Dharmapala who sprinted off for a 40m try bumping the full back on his way. Nigel had little trouble converting from under the posts. (Kandy 14-00 Singapore)
Nigel Rattwatte then slotted the first penalty of the game given for an obstruction. He had the wind on his side as he belted the 35m between the posts from the left flank. (Kandy 17-00 Singapore)
Anurudda Wilwara got on the scoresheet next as he showed his pace to the outside backs of the Singapore team as he sprinted past each defender down the touchline to score left of the left posts. Nigel failed to convert from the corner flag. (Kandy 22-00 Singapore)
The consolation try for the Singapore team in the first half came courtesy of a mistake by Nigel Rattwatte as he tried to gather the up and under placed by the Singapore fly half Thomas Child who chased and touched the loose ball over the try line. He converted his own try with ease. (Kandy 22-07 Singapore)
Kandy 22 (3T 2C 1P) – 07 (1T 1C) Singapore
Off the restart Kandy was awarded a penalty 20m up the field from under the posts which Nigel slotted through with ease making it a 18 point game. (Kandy 25-07 Singapore)
Singapore then had a good passage of play in the 22m red zone of the Kandy half although they couldn’t come away with points but eventually Kandy counter attacked through Wilwara and handed Fazil Marija the ball as he sprinted 60m for his second try of the day. Nigel failed the left corner flag conversion yet again. (Kandy 30-07 Singapore)
Wilwara was again at it as he broke the defence and sprinted up the field before handing it over to Dhanushka Ranjan who ran around the defence before diving over the whitewash to score. Nigel neatly bisected the posts this time to add the two extras. (Kandy 37-07 Singapore)
The only area Kandy has to improve before the Club rugby season is their scrumaging as Singapore was able to exploit that weakness with ease. They drove Kandy back on more occasions than not throughout the game. The only occasion where they came out with points was when Jun Long the prop forward dropped over the try line for a score. Thomas Child converted from the left flank to make 37-14 in favour of Kandy.
On the brink of the full time whistle Nigel Rattwatte scored the final try of the game for Kandy as he spotted a gap between the two centers and exploiting it to his advantage before scoring under the posts. Arshad Jamaldeen added the extras this time making the game come to an end at 44 points to 14 points.
Kandy will be happy that they had 3 tough pre season matches before the club season. Roshan Weerathna and Buwaneka Udangamuwa are yet to return from injury to strengthen the Kandy outfit.
Kandy 44 (6T 4C 2P) – 14 (2T 2C) Singapore
ThePapare.com player of the match – Anurudda Wilwara
SM- Kandy end the Pre season on a High.
