Kandy SC stave off Havies challenge to win 27-22

Defending champions and unbeaten Kandy Sports Club as expected beat Havelock Sports Club after a close game, in the Inter Club “A” division Nippon Paint Cup rugby first round match played yesterday at Nittawela. At the end of the first half it was Kandy SC 19 and Havelock SC 17, the Park club gave a superb display and this was Kandy SC’s fifth consecutive win this season. The Kandy SC tally comprised 27 points which came off two goals, two tries and a penalty to Havelocks 22 (two goals, one try and a penalty).

Both clubs rugger players kept the game live and interesting by playing a good game of run and pass rugby. The Havelock SC rugger players though they lost, played good rugby and it was Havelock SC who scored first off a superb try in the 17th minute coming from Shanel Silva and it was goaled by Samuel Maduwantha and in the 25th minute Kandy SC scored a try through Dinal Ekanayake and Tarinda Ratwatte goaled to make the score 7 all.

In the first half For Kandy Dinal Ekanayake, Danushka Ranjan, Chathuranga Kudalige scored the tires and two of them were goaled by Nigel Ratwatte. For Havelock SC Randitha Warnapura and Shenel Silva scored the tries and two tries and a penalty was goaled by Samuel Maduwantha, as Kandy SC led 19-17.

In the second half Kandy SC tried their best to take control of the game and Havelock SC dished out a good game to keep the home side in their place.

In the second half, soon after the kick off Tarinda Ratwatte put over a penalty to give Kandy SC 22 points against 17 and there was a try from full back Srinath Sooriyabandara and the kick at goal was missed and Kandy SC were able to earn 27 points against Havelocks 17 points. Havelock SC went on to score through winger Dinupa Seneviratne and the kick was missed and score board read 27-22. Kandy SC’s Srinath Sooriyabandara was adjudged Player of the Match.

The match winning Kandy SC had to put everything what they had to win this game and Havelock SC dished out an excellent game to be close. A big hand should go to the players of the two teams for their superb performance. So, the table leaders Kandy SC has 30 points, where in five games they have won all Havelock SC in the five games have 19 points and are third.

Kandy Sports Club has won the league title more than any other club. This club has been the most successful club in the Sri Lanka Rugby Championship, winning 23 league titles in the last twenty nine years during the period between 1994 and 2023, which is the most wins by any club since the expanded competition commenced in 1950.

This game was refereed by Gehan Yatawara.

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