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Sports

Rugby skills at its best
Kandy 37, Police 11
By Bernie Wijesekera
Defending 'A' league champions Kandy SC playing their first game away gave a delightful exhibition of skilful rugby to outplay Police by 37 points (a goal and six tries) to 11 points (a goal and two penalty goals) played before a big crowd at Police Park yesterday.

At the short whistle it was 17-8. Police in their initial half had their forwards matched strength against strength and had Kandy SC back-pedaling. They had their moment of glory with their supporters backing them to the hilt. But poor ball handling and spot kicks over the crossbar cost them dearly. With the kick-off the blue shirts were awarded a penalty but veered. Luke the Fijian fly-half made amends in the fourth minute. 3-0.

Kandy led by dusky Radika Hettiarachchi settled down after a few early hiccups. They gave a fine exhibition of professional and skilful rugby where the entire back division was kept in motion.

The granite-hard eight led by rock hard Samoan Peleli had the weight and strength to win abundant flow good ball be it in the set pieces and the long throws. They had the sluice gates opened for the back line to run amok. Pradeep Basnayake towered over Wilson in the line outs. Further Kandy had plenty of young talent on the bench, the slick line with full back Hettiarachchi constantly forming the overlap made gaping holes in the Police defence.

The Police first try came in the 12th minute when the entire line was in motion for Winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe to roll over for an unconverted try. In the 19th minute Police won the long throw but lost it. Centre Pradeep Liyanage scythed his way to rollover. Hettiarachchi added the extra points. 12-3.

Police were awarded two spot kicks but Luke fluffed it. Police fought back to score their solitary try in the 30th minute. The forwards drove their way and off a rolling maul Anura Fernando went over for an unconverted try.

Just before the short whistle Kandy scored again through a Hettiarachchi 'Special' . He himself took the kick but failed to put over. At the interval it was 17-8.

In the second half, Kandy with a better game plan and Nagata taking the field produced flamboyant running rugby for their avid fans. Indrajith Bandaranaike replaced Jayasinghe. Anthonian schoolboy Prasad Chaturanga manned the base in place of Bucks.

It was no stopping from here onwards and the Police defence wilted under pressure. The Hill Capital Club planted four more tries through Hettiarachchi his second winger Banadranaike a 40 yard solo effort, prop Malith Silva and right winger Pushpakumara it was running rugby at its best. During the dying stages of the game Police pressed for five minutes -with the Kandy line staring.

They were awarded three penalties 10 metres out but failed to cross the line. Earlier Luke put over a penalty. Nagata, who dazzled for CH and FC in the past replaced Luke, but failed to overcome the Police SC woes.
Referee-Dilroy
Fernando.

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