Kandy thrash Havies to remain unbeaten

An optimized style of play in the first by Kandy SC enabled them to record a resounding 35-15 win against Havelock SC, as the title holders of SLR Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023, ended their first round campaign with an unbeaten record at Havelock Park yesterday.

The day belonged to Kandy SC flyhalf Tarinda Ratwatte, who singlehandedly scored scored 20 points out of his team’s tally, which was made out of four tries, three conversions and three penalties. Kandy SC led the halftime by an unassailable 22-3 lead, which was already sufficient to record a big win.

Yet, Havelocks made a total bounce back in the second half and scored two tries and a conversion, in addition to their solitary penalty from the first half.

Winger Kavindu Perera touched down in the second minute of the game, as Ratwatte put over to give Kandy SC an early lead of 7-0. After constantly battling to gain access, Havelocks were eventually rewarded with a penalty in the 13th minute, which was successfully put over by fullback Chanaka Chandimal. A minute later fullback Srinath Sooriyabandara made a brilliant break to cross the line from far right and score a try under the post to give Ratwatte an easy kick to the goal as Kandy expanded their lead to 14-3. Lock Thilina Bandara followed with another brilliant try three minutes later to make it

19-3, before Ratwatte put over a penalty in the

30th minute to have Kandy in a strong position 22-3 by halftime. Kandy forward Wajid Fawmy was sin-binned five minutes before the break.

The second half took off with a bang as Ratwatte managed to flummox the Havies defence to touch down in the 44th minute, and with the conversion Kandy expanded the lead to 29-3. But it was just after that Havelocks fired all their guns to retaliate, to be rewarded with a try from a rolling maul in the 50th minute. Lock Shehan Dias touched down and flyhalf Sandesh Jayawickrama made the conversion from a difficult angle to but down the deficit 29-10.

Kandy lost lock Thilina Bandara in the 54th minute to a yellow card offence, which came as a blessing for Havelocks, who scored an unconverted try from Dinupa Seneviratne three minutes later. Kandy were forced to defend with 13 men after Sanushka Abeywickrama was sent off to the sinbin in the 58th minute.

Havelocks lost forward Niwanka Prasad in the 77th minute and they were forced to play with 13 men right up to the final whistle after No.8 Christian De Lile was given a yellow card four minutes later. Ratwatte put over two penalties in the

78th and 81st minutes as

Kandy spoilt Havelock scrumhalf Mithun Hapugoda’s 100th game with a convincing win.