Sub-standard tackling by Police gives Kandy staggering victory
In one of the most colourless and one sided rugby finals in recent times, Kandy SC scored a resounding 77 points (6 goals, 7 tries) to 7 (1 goal) win over Police to annex the Clifford Cup for the nineteenth time.
Kandy’s Oscar Ouma evades a tackle by the Police defence. Pic by Amila Gamage.
It was a mismatch of gigantic proportions. Whenever Oscar Ouma or Marcel Marshall ran with the ball, there was try written all over that move. Flanker Marshall helped himself to four tries. The first three came in the space of about ten minutes and these efforts seemed to induce a kind of déjà vu among the law enforcers. 21-0 in about ten minutes and Police’s fate was sealed.
Police’s centre Apisai Nawakiva tried his utmost but it was of no avail. Apisai was responsible for the only try scored by the losers. He booted a loose ball and outpaced the last defender to touch down. Rimzi Jamaldeen converted and it was 21-7 at this stage.
If the Police were hoping for a come back of sorts, it was not to be. Kandy’s outsides were swarming all over the place, indulging in some delightful moves and running at full tilt.
Skipper Sean Wijesinghe, in all probability playing his final match for the club, was able to touch down with a host of defenders on him. He also put over a conversion and seemed delighted by it.
Centre Oscar Ouma also joined the party by scoring three tries.
Police could certainly have cut down the score had they tackled. A lot of the tackling was sub-standard. They seemed to be in awe of their opponents. That early try blitz did not help.