Bahrain RFC emerged victorious against a young Kandy outfit at Nittawela Stadium in their Asia Rugby Western Club Championship encounter earlier today.
The full-time score at the end of 80 minutes stood at 24 (3T 3C 1P) points to 23 (3T 1C 1P 1DG); at half time it was a 11 point game in favor of Bahrain, with the scores being 24 – 13.
Heshan Jansen got the start as the first-choice scrum half and Kandy Captain Gayan Weerarathne returned to the team playing in his preferred second center position replacing Chathura Senevirathne. The player who stood out for Bahrain was their prop forward Davis Tui, who had an excellent game winning almost all the tussles he encountered and powering through some tackles. He also managed to power his way over the line to score an excellent forward’s try and was also adjudged the ThePapare Player of the Match for his excellent outing today.
It was Thilina Wijesinghe who kicked the first points through the game as he managed to put through a 30m penalty from the left flank which was awarded for the line being off side. (Bahrain 00-03 Kandy)
Bahrain then started their scoring through a Richard Muncaster try in the left corner. Ivan Phillips the most experienced player on the park put through the conversion with ease. (Bahrain 07-03 Kandy)
The next try came courtesy of Bahrain’s big Kiwi born prop Davis Tui. A line-out was won inside the opposition’s 22 before turning it into a rolling maul which collapsed inches away from the try line. Eventually Tui picked it up and powered his way over the whitewash. Ivan converted his easiest kick of the day from under the posts. (Bahrain 14-03 Kandy)
Kandy hit back almost immediately through Anurudda Wilwara. It could simply be explained as a piece of Wilwara brilliance, having received a pass from Arshad Jamaldeen inside his own half, he stepped and ran through, bouncing off at least five defenders on his way to the try line before touching down for the first try for the Hill capital club. Thilina made an excellent conversion from the left corner flag of the field. (Bahrain 14-10 Kandy)
Ivan Phillips extended Bahrain’s lead as he bisected the posts through a penalty received for an offside offense. (Bahrain 17-10 Kandy)
Thilina Wijesinghe was in action soon before half time as he put through a drop goal from under the posts. Kandy tried to penetrate the Bahrain defense that held strong and so the ball was handed to Wijesinghe who calmly slotted in the kick to make it a four point game. (Bahrain 17-13 Kandy)
On the brink of half time Bahrain scored yet again through their forwards. The forwards were the big difference between the two sides as the Bahrain forwards managed to dominate the Kandy forwards throughout the 40minutes of the first half. This time it was Mark Burnell who scored right under the posts. The backs brought it into the Kandy 22m and the forwards started to grind their way up field before finally scoring. Phillips added the extras. (Bahrain 24-13 Kandy)
Half Time: Kandy SC 13 (1T 1C 1P 1DG) – 24 (3T 3C 1P) Bahrain RFC
Soon after half time Kandy scored to bring back the deficit by five points. Jamaldeen hit the posts for the second time in two games as the try went unconverted. The try scorer was yet again the go to man Anurudda Wilwara who showed his pace by running around the Bahrain wing three quarter to score. (Bahrain 24-18 Kandy)
Kandy scored again minutes after their previous try, this time through their captain Gayan Weerarathne who ran down the touchline after receiving a pass from Wilwara. The try was set up by some brilliant offloads by the second row forwards Heshan Kalhara and Dimitri Wijethunga. Thilina missed the conversion from the left corner flag. (Bahrain 24-23 Kandy)
The game ended with this score line as Bahrain prevailed through a mere point. Kandy were pretty much dominated in the scrums but their biggest concern was the line out throws as they failed to collect at least 8 of their throw-Ins.
However, it was a young team that Kandy fielded for these two encounters and have many positives to take away from the performances of Heshan Jansen, Lakshitha Ranaweera and many new faces.
With the result of this game going against Kandy, the Abu Dhabi Harlequins were crowned champions after drawing with Kandy and beating Bahrain RFC.
Full time: Kandy SC 23 (3T 1C 1P 1DG) – 24 (3T 3C 1P) Bahrain RFC
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Davis Tui (Bahrain RFC)
Score Breakdown
Kandy SC – Anurudda Wilwara (2T), Gayan Weerarathne (1T), Thilina Wijesinghe (1C 1P 1DG)
Bahrain RFC – Davis Tui (1T), Mark Burnell (1T), Richard Muncaster (1T), Ivan Phillips (3C 1P)
