It was yet another victorious outing for Kandy SC as they managed to defeat a spirited Navy SC outfit by 39 points to 28, after a thrilling first half in their second round encounter of the Dialog Rugby League 2019/20.
Tharinda Ratwatte kickstarted the proceedings with a deep kick, but it was the home team who drew first blood with Isuru Koongahawatta successfully converting a penalty kick.
Koongahawatta was back in action 4 minutes later, as he dived through the Kandy defense and over the whitewash to record the first try of the game. He completed the seven pointer by himself, taking his team to a commanding position early on in the game (Navy 10 – 00 Kandy)
However, Kandy bounced back in the restart as Srinath Sooriyabandara managed to beat the Navy defense with his nifty footwork and grounded the ball under the post. Tharinda Ratwatte was spot on with the conversion as the visitors managed to reduce the deficit down to 3 points. (Navy 10 – 07 Kandy)
Kandy was able to gain 5 more points in the 18th minute, as Jason Dissanayake managed to touchdown after the ball was handed over to him by Tharindu Chathuranga, who made a break from their own twenty-two. (Navy 10 – 12 Kandy)
Isuru Koongahawatta was quick to get Navy back in the lead as he managed to bisect the posts off the tee in the 22nd minute of the day’s play. (Navy 13 – 12 Kandy)
However, Buddhima Piyarathne managed to scamper under the post for a converted try after Srinath Sooriyabandara penetrated the Navy line of defense at the half way mark, recording the 3rd lead change of the game within a passage of 6 minutes. (Navy 13 – 19 Kandy)
Isuru Koongahawatta managed to gain three more points for the hosts and reduce the Kandy lead down to 3 points, before referee Priyantha Gunarathna blew the long whistle to mark the end of a thrilling first half down at Welisara.
Half Time – Navy SC 16 (1T, 1C, 3P) – 19 (3T, 2C) Kandy SC
It was Kandy who managed to open the account early on in the second half, as Tharinda Ratwatte slotted over a three pointer for the visitors after the hosts restarted the proceedings.
Four minutes later, Chathura Senavirathne’s cheeky pass, which occurred inches behind the Kandy twenty-two, popped out of the hands of Samith Dananjaya and into the hands of Dhanush Dayan, who decided to run the ball himself and secure 5 points for his team. Tharinda cashed in with the extras to extend the Kandy lead by 13 points. (Navy 16 – 29 Kandy)
Kandy faced a major setback in the 51st minute, as they were reduced to 14 men after replacement front row player Ashan Darling was sent to the sin bin. The hosts were quick to pounce on the one-man advantage as Radeesha Senavirathne managed to touchdown off a twenty-two meter scrum, after his try in the 52nd minute was called off by the referee due to double movement. (Navy 23 – 29 Kandy)
Tharinda managed to gain 3 more points for the visitors as he slotted over a straight forward penalty in the 64th minute of the game.
Three minutes after Ashan Darling’s return to the field, Kandy was yet again reduced to 14 men with Jason Dissanayake being sent to the sin bin after he fended off a player for the second time in the game. However, it was Kandy who managed to disturb the scores in the aftermath, with Diluksha Dange flying over the try line in the far corner and Tharinda Ratwatte adding to his points tally with a conversion off a tight angle. (Navy 23 – 39 Kandy)
Navy replied with an unconverted try by Charith Ekanayake in the 75th minute, as referee Priyantha Gunarathna issued the 3rd yellow card of the game to Kandy’s Diluksha Dange due to an infringement during the lead up.
Overall, Navy failed to replicate their spirited performance from the first half as the unbeaten table toppers recorded their second win down at Welisara in 7 days. With eleven wins under their belt, the defending champs seem to be well and truly capable of securing the league title for yet another year.
Full Time – Navy SC 28 (3T, 2C, 3P) – 39 (5T, 4C, 2P) Kandy SC
- Dialog Viu Player of the Match – Tharindu Chathuranga (Kandy SC)
- Match Referee – Priyantha Gunarathna
Breakdown
Navy SC: Tries from Isuru Koongahawatta (1), Radeesha Senavirathme(1), and Charith Ekanayake(1)
Conversions (2) by Isuru Koongahawatta
Penalties (3) by Isuru Koongahawatta
Kandy SC: Tries from Srinath Sooriyabandara(1), Jason Dissanayake(1), Buddhima Piyarathne(1), Dhanush Dayan(1) and Diluksha Dange(1)
Conversions (4) by Tharinda Ratwatte
Penalties (2) by Tharinda Ratwatte
Cautions & Sendoffs:
Yellow card: Ashan Darling, Jason Dissanayake and Diluksha Dange (Kandy SC)
