Defending champions Kandy Sports Club scored four tries and one was goaled to earn a 22-13 victory over CH & FC who scored one goal and two penalties in Nippon Paint A Division League first round rugby game played at the Nittawela rugby grounds. The first half ended 17-3 in Kandy Sports Club’s favour.
Kandy Sports Club started the game very fast and went onto score in the eighth minute off a scrum Thilina Bandara scored and Tharindu Ratwatte missed the goaling from a kicking range and Kandy Sports club led 5-0. Much was expected from CH & FC, but they failed to produce type of rugby they are capable of. Any way in the 25th minute they were able to put over a penalty off the boot of Hirusha Nethmina to make the score 5-3. Up to this, both Kandy Sports Club and CH & FC rugegrites did lots of spoiling work. It was indeed a hearteing sight to see much hard and low tackling from the two teams worried the opponents threes whenever they had the ball.
Then in the twenty-eighth minute due to some good work, it was nice to see Nigel Ratwatte going over for a try which was kicked at goal by Tharinda Ratwatte to make the score 12-03.In the thirty eight minute Kandy Sports Clubs Thilina Bandara scored his second try and kick at goal was missed by Tharinda Ratwatte and the score board read 17-3 and Kandy Sports Club led 17-03at half time.
Soon after the turn over Kandy Sports Club took play into the CH & FC half on several occasions and settled down to play a good run and pass game. They launched a vigorous attack and paused CH & FC into their own area. Kandy Sports Club’changed the pattern of play with the help of their fitness. In this game in terms of physique, the Kandy Sports Club ruggerites towered over the opponents and proved how rugby should be played. The winning team threes was really finding the gaps. Then in the sixth minute of the second half Nigel Ratwatte went over for his second try, and Tharinda Ratwatte failed to goal it and the score was 22-3. Then came a superb try by Avantha Lee for CH & FC which was goaled by Hirusha Nethmina to make the score 22-10. A few minutes later Hirusha Nethmina put over a penalty to make it Kandy Sports Club 22- CH & FC 13. Kandy Sports Club in the their home den were given a good run by the CH & FC side.
Referee – Priyantha Gunaratne.
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