Last minute try gives Kandy breathtaking win over Havies
Led 3-17 at the break and then 8-24 sometime in the second half, Kandy SC scripted an amazing comeback to pip the Havies 25-24 almost on full time at Nittawela. Kandy got their points through a goal, 3 tries and a penalty as against Havelocks’ 3 goals and a penalty.
Anuradha Wilaweera on his his way to score Kandy’s winning try. - Pic by Amila Gamage
Significantly Kandy’s revival began after Marija took the field in the second half. Although he didn’t achieve much personally, his presence certainly saved to galvanise the back division.
The sin-binning of Sheriff was the salvation Kandy was looking for. In the time he was away, the home club was able to touch down twice.
One felt that the Havies would wilt with the second half as they seemed to throw in everything they had in the opening half. Their Fijian Josh Kaifu was brilliant in both attack and defence. Dulaj Perera, Mithub Hapugoda, Shehan Pathirana were in the thick of things as they put the home team under severe pressure to establish a 17-3 lead at the half.
The Havies took an early lead (5th minute) when Dulaj Perera kicked over a penalty awarded for an off side. Twelve minutes later, Quinton Crocker, the fly half, evened things out via another penalty.
Shortly after, Sandun Herath received Sheriff’s pass and ran, punted, collected and came round to score under the posts. Dulaj made it 10-3.
Mithun Hapugoda then finished off a beautiful move, after the defence was drawn, by taking an inside pass and going over. Dulaj kicked correctly once again (16-3).
Kandy went over early in the second half, but the try was disallowed after it was pointed out that there was a double movement. Shehan Pathirana then put the game seemingly beyond Kandy’s reach by scoring a dandy try, which was goaled (24-20).
The crowd was now on its feet. The back division was doing what they always do well – running and passing at speed. On the other hand, the Havies were a tired lot. Play-maker and number eight Josh Kaifa had shot his bolt.
In this situation, with the weary Havies trying to defend desperately, Kandy had one final tilt. Anuradha Wilawara brushed off a couple of half-hearted tackles, spotted a gap and went over for the match-winning try.
Perhaps the Havies paid the price for trying to sit on their lead. For Kandy, this is a significant triumph and should put them in heart for the Navy game next week-end.
There was a couple of glaring errors by the referee. On one occasion, a try resulted.
Referee- Maurice Butler.