Kandy Sports Club closed out the first round unbeaten, delivering a commanding 32-10 victory over defending champions CR & FC. A resolute defensive effort paved the way for their triumph in the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 clash at Longdon Place.
The final game of the round saw defending champions CR & FC host their rivals, Kandy Sports Club, in front of a packed house. The home side started strong, dominating the early exchanges. They kicked to the corner from a penalty and set up a rolling maul, with Venura Kodagoda driving play close to the try line before Achitha Radeeshan powered over for the opening try. Zubair Doray slotted a difficult conversion to give CR an early lead. (CR 07-00 Kandy)
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Kandy responded immediately when Srinath Sooriyabandara’s clearance kick was collected by Thenuka Nanayakkara, who sent a long pass to Viduna Amaneth. However, his delayed offload to Zubair Doray was intercepted by Dhanushka Ranjan, who dashed over to level the scores. (CR 07-05 Kandy)
Kandy continued their momentum, finally sorting out their lineout to set up a rolling maul. Center Dhanushka Ranjan joined the drive before Tharindu Chathuranga handed him the ball, allowing Ranjan to sneak through the defense for his second try. (CR 07-10 Kandy)
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Kandy kept up the pressure, launching another attack from a scrum inside the 22-meter mark. Nigel Ratwatte’s well-timed pop pass opened space for Dinal Ekanayake, who broke through multiple tackles to bring play close to the try line. Kandy quickly shifted the ball from left to right, sending winger Kavindu Perera over for their third try.
Half Time: CR & FC 07 (1T.1C) – Kandy SC 15 (3T)
The hosts came out firing in the second half, dominating both possession and territory but struggling to break through Kandy’s defense. However, they managed to add three points when Kandy was penalized for offside, with Zubair Doray slotting a crucial penalty in this tense encounter. (CR 10-15 Kandy)
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Kandy responded immediately, capitalizing on a well-placed 50-22 kick by Heshan Jansen to set up an attack from the lineout. CR held firm for several phases, but a powerful carry from prop Milan Weerasinghe broke through their defense. He then executed a brilliant backhand offload to No. 8 Dahan Wickramarachchi, who overpowered the defenders to crash over for Kandy’s bonus-point try. Tharinda Ratwatte, after three missed attempts, finally added the extras. (CR 10-22 Kandy)
Kandy delivered a decisive blow from a scrum near the 40-meter mark, showcasing brilliant first-phase play as they swiftly spread the ball from left to right, allowing winger Kavindu Perera to finish a stunning move. Tharinda Ratwatte added the extras with a difficult conversion. (CR 10-29 Kandy)
Their defensive resilience in the second half was exceptional, denying CR any chance to cross the line despite relentless attacks. Kandy’s rock-solid defense held firm, and a well-struck penalty from Ratwatte sealed a dominant victory for the hill capital side.
Full Time: CR & FC 10 (1T,1C,1P) – Kandy SC 32 (5T,2C,1P)
Player of the Match: Tharindu Chathuranga (Kandy SC)
Points Breakdown
CR & FC 10
Achitha Radeeshan 1T, Zubair Doray 1C,1P
Kandy SC 32
Danushka Ranjan 2T, Kavindu Perera 2T, Dahan Wickramarachchi 1T, Tharinda Ratwatte 2C,1P
