Havies win the battle and loose the war to Kandy

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Kandy SC 21 points

Havelock SC 19 points

Kandy Sports Club fought back after being placed number 2 in the league came on top at the end of the Super 4 round thus claiming the Inter Club League rugby title for the fifth consecutive year when they edged out Havelock SC by 21 points (2 tries, 1 conversion, 3 penalties) to 19 points (3 tries, 2 conversions) at Havelock Park.

At the short breather Kandy led 18/0

Kandy once again settled in no time taking complete control of the game with their three quarter line and mobile forwards combining very well. Shehan Pathirana once again was outstanding in both attack as well in defense plus fast on the loose ball getting many turn overs for the Up Country lads. Their Skipper, Richard Dharmapala too stood out with some ghosting moves which kept the Park club on the check most of the time. Thilina Wijesinghe too had a good game with some fine touch kicks which gave Kandy better option to attack from opposition half. Kandy once again lost out Buwanaka Udangamuwa their cracking number 8 through injury though he was expected to play was taken out due to not recovering fully from the injury but he will be fit for the Clifford Cup 2^nd game for Kandy.

For the Park Club Ajmeer Fajudeen, Reza Mubarak and Mithun Hapugoda played their hearts out. Hapugoda did some dummies which caught the Kandy defense all over. Absence of their Head Coach, Sanath Martis was a big blow for the Park Club.

Kandy drew first blood in the 2^nd minute of the game through a three quarter moved ending in a try for Nigel Ratwatte. Thilina Wijesinghe though was off target put over a penalty a few minutes later to take a 8/0 lead. A Late tackle on Nigel Ratwatte cost the Park Club yet another penalty. They almost gave up when Richard Dharmapala dummied his way beating nearly 6 Havies players to touch down under the posts. Thilina added the extra 2 points to take the breather at 18 to nothing.

After the turn around Kandy were able to score only one penalty as they defended most part of the game. Havies who took complete control of the later half scored their tries through Sithum Peiris, Dinuk Amarasinghe and Mithun Hapugoda. Reza Mubarak converted two of them.

Referee Just Wang

Most popular player-Buddhima Piyaratne (Navy SC)

Highest point scorer-Samuel Maduwantha (CH & FC)

Highest try scorers-Sudam Sooriyarachchi (CH &FC) and Mithun Hapugoda (Havelock SC)