First half rally sees Kandy through at Nittawela
Kandy had done much in the first half at the end of which they led 21-13. To lose this all important clash at Nittawela was improbable, and thus, they did beat the Sailors handsomely at the end.
At the same time, there was admiration for the Navy team that ran them very close at one stage late in the game (26-19). The final scoreline was 33 (4 goals, 1 try) to 19 (1 goal, 4 penalties).
The Navy was disciplined in their execution. They didn’t concede any penalties, while Kandy gave away four. Kandy was fighting hard to keep the rampaging Navy players from crossing over their line. Navy felt they had done enough to earn a try, but the TMO verdict went against them. The Kandy outsides took over and Richard Dharmapala, who received a back handed pass, made no mistake at the other end of the field. The conversion made it 26-19 and it also put some distance between the teams.
Then came a lapse by the Navy fullback, who collected a kick ahead and essayed a little ship. This was seized on by the Kandy attackers who sent Tilina Wijesinghe on his way. Nigel Ratwatte made the conversion. 14 points was the margin between the teams at that point and Navy was left to rue a few moments of carelessness.
It was the Navy who scored first through a Thilina Weerasinghe penalty. A few minutes later, his attempted conversion went hopelessly awry. Kandy’s backs gleefully accepted the ball and Fazil Marija was able to dart his way through a defence that was still gathering. Ratwatte obliged once more (14-3). Yakoob got the next try for the winners and Ratwatte made it 21-3.
Not to be outdone, Navy did some attacking and pressurised the defence. The upshot of it all was that fly half Mohamed Abzal was able to weave his way through and score Navy’s solitary try. Fullback Weerasinghe was accurate and made it 21-10.
Kandy’s line had more fire in their belly in the second half. They had instant reward in the form of two penalties which were successfully converted by Weerasinghe for a 21-19 score midway in this half. The disallowed try ensured to knock the stuffing out of the Sailors who realised they were out of the game by then.
Navy played a terrific game, especially in the second half. Their pick and run tactics worked to a point. The way they took on a solid Kandy pack time and time again was particularly impressive. The game was fast paced, and at the end of it, Kandy must surely have realised that they had been in a battle.
Buddhima Piyaratne, a talented winger, a last minute choice, because of an injury sustained in an accident, showed admirable courage. Even though he had a bandaged arm, the way he ran at the defence and also helped in the tackle was tremendous. Kandy received four yellow cards and Navy none. A momentary flare up was quickly brought under control. A fine game of rugby to which both teams contributed.
Referee — Priyantha Gunaratne