Kandy SC defeat Army in Rathmalana

Kandy Sports Club got their campaign back on track when they beat Army 38-10 in their Dialog Rugby League’s third week encounter at Air Force grounds in Rathmalana. Kandy led 14-05 at lemons.

The men from the hill capital outscored their hosts five tries to two with Heshan Kalhara, Danushka Ranjan, Roshan Weerathne, Buwenaka Udangamuwa and Thilina Wijesinghe all dotting down.

Kandy Sports Club showed their intent from the outset and ran the ball from all areas of the field. This approach paid dividends in the fifth minute when Danushka Ranjan made a superb break before offloading to Heshan Kalhara who sauntered in for the opening try unmarked by any.

Thilina Wijesinghe added the conversion.

(Kandy 07-00 Army)

Kandy continued to attack and in the 20th minute, they were rewarded with their second try when Buwaneka Udangamuwa combined strength with Ganuka Dissanayake with speed to beat three defenders before powering their way over the try-line from a ruck meters short. Thilina Wijesinghe skillfully added the extras.

(Kandy 14-00 Army) 

Just before half-time, Kandy’s midfield strayed offside on defence inside their 22 and a no arms tackle from Yakoob Ali meant they went a man down.

Salinda slotted the penalty into touch and the try scored in the corner which came from an attacking line-out with Jayalal freeing up Sugath Nanayakkara after the ball had gone through the hands to the back of the rolling maul. Nanayakkara did well to stay in field to produce the finish despite the best efforts of the Kandy to push the maul out. Salinda failed to add the extras which meant the visitors led 12-6 at the interval.

Half Time: Kandy 14(2T 2C) – 05(1T) Army 

The second half started in distrastrous fashion for the Soldiers with Hirusha Adhikaram sent to the naughty boy chair to cool off.

In contrasting style to Kandy, the Soldiers were playing a direct style of rugby, taking the ball up through the forwards around the fringes and showed that if they put phases together they would be rewarded. However, the finishing was what they lacked. Kandy was slowly but surely gaining control of the game.

Danushka Ranjan popped up for his first try, bursting over after a series of powerful carries from the forwards in broken play before playmaker for the day Jamaldeen puts Ranjan into space from meters out. Thilina Wijesinghe converted to make it 21-05.

Photo Album : Army SC v Kandy SC | Dialog Rugby League 2018/19

Kandy sensing the opportunity stepped up a couple of gears on attack and in the 47th minute Roshan Weerarathne crossed for their fourth and bonus point try after Anurudda Wilwara did brilliantly with a bullocking run in the build-up. Roshan sold a silky dummy showing everyone he is still the nippy scrum-half he used to be. Thilina’s conversion gave the visitors a 23-point lead. (Kandy 28-05 Army) 

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Armys’ confidence on attack did not diminish and in the 50th stabbed a no look pass at no one, luckily Sudaraka Dikkumbura through experience gathered before carving the Kandy defence open crossing the whitewash for their second try of the game. (Kandy 28-10 Army) 

The visitors continued to dominate possession and terrritory, after a period of ten minutes the pressure finally told as an opportunity let Thilina Wijesinghe free Wilwara for a run down the line before Wijesinghe received his pass back as he stabbed a perfectly-weighted chip through gathering it himself before crossing the whitewash. Rathmalana wind proved no issues for the man of the match Wijesinghe as he made it 5 in 5 from the kicking tee. (Kandy 35-10 Army) 

The rest of the half saw Army giving their all on attack but they were kept at bay by a resilient defensive effort from Kandy.

In the 78th minute, Arshad Jamaldeen slotted a drop goal sealing the win.

Full Time; Kandy 38(5T 5C 1DG) – 10(2T) Army

• ThePapare.com player of the match – Thilina Wijesinghe (Kandy SC)

The score breakdown

For Army:
Tries: Sudaraka Dikkumbara and Sugath Nanayakkara 

Yellow Cards: Mohommed Rizvi and Hirusha Adhikaram

For Kandy:
Tries: Heshan Kalhara, Danushka Ranjan, Roshan Weerathne, Buwenaka Udangamuwa and Thilina Wijesinghe

Cons: Thilina Wijesinghe (5)

Drop Goal: Arshad Jamaldeen

Yellow Card: Yakoob Ali