CR and Kandy eye league title in a winner-take-it-all affair
Though Kandy SC anticipates a repeater of what they have been enjoying since 2015, CR&FC, the only unbeaten side this season, will definitely make sure they finish from where they started.
CR&FC, leading the table, has had an impressive unbeaten streak this season. After nine games, the Red Shirts remain undefeated, with 52 points to their name, including seven bonus points. However, their failure to secure bonus points in two close wins earlier in the season could be crucial in the final standings unless they manage a convincing victory.
On the other hand, Kandy SC has won eight out of nine games, only losing to CR, amassing 48 points with eight bonus points. Their only game without a bonus point was against Havelocks last week. If they manage to rectify their shortcomings, and give CR&FC a good run for their money, they have a higher chance of retaining the title.
A comfortable win by CR&FC, even without bonus points, guarantees them the national club league title after 26 years. Their last league title victory was in 1998. A draw would still leave CR&FC elated. However, Kandy can only prevent CR from becoming champions by securing a convincing victory with a significant margin. Even a narrow win for Kandy in a low-scoring game would favor CR due to a losing bonus point. If both teams score four or more tries with a slim margin victory for Kandy, CR still holds the advantage. In their previous encounter on January 21 in Nittawela, CR secured a 38-26 win, highlighting the need for Kandy to meticulously prepare and deliver a flawless performance to secure their title.
Of the eight wins Kandy SC recorded, two came in the second round. They were given a torrid time by CH&FC, before Kandy walked out winners 32-24, but last weekend the hill capital club nearly chocked for their 19-15 win against Havelocks. Earlier in the first round, Kandy won six games without a loss, earning a total of 36 points, including six bonus points, before their winning march was put to an end by CR&FC. In total, Kandy SC has scored 270 points and conceded 165 with 41 tries, 25 conversions and five penalties to their final tally up to now.
Their season began with a 22-13 win against CH&FC at Nittawela, followed by a below-par performance against Army SC, which still resulted in a 33-14 win at Panagoda. The third week’s match against Police SC at Nittawela was similar to the previous week, ending with a 33-19 score.
The game against Air Force, the fourth bottom half team they played, was underwhelming despite Kandy winning 30-13 at Ratmalana. At Nittawela on the fifth week, Havelocks provided the greatest challenge Kandy had faced, despite the game ending 27-22, before Kandy regained momentum against Navy SC last week with a resounding 48-7 win at Welisara.
CR&FC’s success has been a total contrast to previous seasons. They stand a golden opportunity to secure a title win nearly after two and a half decades, and has scored an impressive 295 points against 105, with a tally of 45 tries, 26 conversions and six penalties. In the two second round games played so far, CR struggled to beat Havelocks 12-9 and bounced back to regain the momentum with a 32-12 win against CH&FC last week.
In the first round, CR’s record of seven straight wins comes as a positive sign for the Longdon Place club. They started the season strongly with a dominant 55-8 victory against Army SC at Panagoda. Their performance slightly dipped in the 19-6 win against Police SC at Police Park the following week, which was the only game they failed to secure bonus points. The team’s gradual improvement was evident in their 29-5 victory against Air Force SC at Longdon Place a week later.
However, they faced a tough challenge against CH&FC in the fourth week, narrowly winning 28-23 at Longdon Place and conceding a bonus point to their opponent.
The team’s determination to rectify their mistakes was evident as they went on to defeat Navy SC 57-6 at Welisara before handing Havelocks a 25-10 defeat at home. The last game was against today’s opponents Kandy, which CR won by 38-26.
Kandy, led by center Lavanga Perera, boasts a star-studded lineup, but unlike previous seasons, they are yet to reach their full potential. On the other hand, CR&FC, led by lock Suhiru Anthony, has been consistently impressive despite a shaky game. If Kandy could get their act together, they have the potential of stretching their success story towards a decade, if not, it’s all about the Red Shirts, who needs just a win, even if it’s unimpressive, to secure a long overdue title.