Kandyan express flied through hapless Air Force
Kandy Sports Club sent out a clear message of their title aspirations outclassing Sri Lanka Air Force SC by 63 points (9 tries, 6 conversions and 2 penalties) to 12 points (4 penalties) in their first round inter club league encounter which concluded at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium yesterday.
At half time Kandy led 32/6. Kandy Sports Club took time to settle. But it was the Air Force SC who played some attacking rugby in the first ten minutes of the game but lacked the finish and failed to convert their territorial advantage into points. Kandy started to dominate scrums and line outs after 10 minutes of play. Their three quarters looked threatening with their ghosting moves.
Full back Arshad Jamaldeen joined the line most of the time in attack. Kandy once again opted to rest Anuruddha Wilwara, Shehan Pathirana and Nigel Ratwatte. For Kandy SC Fazil Marija was omnipresent initiating many a moves.He either opted to kick or work the line and was dead accurate in his decision making.
For the home team along with Marija, Gayan Weeraratne, Richard Dharmapala, Sayuru Anthony and Arshad Jamaladeen were outstanding. Kandy drew first blood in the 10th minute of the game when Arshad Jamaldeen was on target with a 35 metre penalty when the Air force backs were caught off side. Two minutes later Arshad was on a target with another penalty when the visitors were caught off side once again.
Kandy scored their first try through lanky flanker Sayuru Anthony through forwards rush. Jamaldeen who had a grand outing was on target with the conversion to take a 13/0 lead for the home team. Air Force full back Nuwan Perera reduced the lead with a 30 metre penalty. Then Richard Dharmapala dummied his way for a try with Jamaldeen adding the extra two points.
The 28th minute of the game saw Air Force full back Nuwan Perera on target with a penalty for the visitors to reduce the deficit to 20/6. Before the short whistle Sayuru Anthony and Piumal Manchanayake scored a try a piece which gave Kandy to a comfortable 32/6 lead.
After the turn-around Kandy scored tries through Gayan Weeraratne, Damith Dissanayake, Danusha Dyan and Heshan Kalhara (2). Jamaldeen converted one while replacement full back Thilina Wijesinghe converted two of them. For the visitors Nuwan Perera put over two penalties in the second half.
Two Air Force players, Ranil Medagedera and Krishan Soorya were “yellow carded” for rough play while Kandy SC had Tharindu Chanaka shown a yellow card.
