Sixth in a row Kandy win rugby league title unbeaten, with 22-point margin

The Kandy SC Rugby Team

By Shamseer Jaleel

Kandy Sports Club stamped their class with another successful title defence, taking the Dialog Rugby League trophy back to Nittawella for a sixth consecutive year. The club had not won a trophy till 1992, when under Maurice Joachim they won their first Clifford Cup tiltle, winning the League title for the first time two years later under Indrajith Bandaranyake. 

Since then Kandy SC has won 20 more league titles capped by their unbeaten season this year, finishing the group stage with a whopping 22 point-gap over second-placed Police SC. 
Led by Nigel Ratwatte this year, Kandy SC came into the season without some key players, and were arguably not the favourites at the start of the season, but they proved they had the quality in depth to win another title with an unbeaten record. 

Danushka Ranjan, Anurudha Wilwara, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and Thilina Wijesinghe were all ruled out either for most or the entirety of this season, but the recruitment of Kandy-born players Kavindu Perera and Tharindu Ratwatte from CR & FC proved to be a vital move in filling in the gaps. 

Tharinda was arguably the best fly-half at the club this season, making captain Nigel’s job that much easier,  with the latter’s leadership skills exemplified by him playing the last three games despite being injured. 

The 22-gap also meant that the Super Round that was scheduled to be played would have been of no consequence as to who wins the title, and with fears of the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) called off that round and prematurely crowned Kandy SC as league winners. 

Their success has long been envied by other clubs in the league, and invariably the opposition has not been able to counter them, perhaps proving the club had a strong structure in place. 

They have also been well supported by sponsors Cargills and Mobitel, the latter signing on later in the season. 

They have also benefited from a strong, loyal, die-hard fan base, being the only club in the hill capital, with fans flocking to watch their matches in Colombo as well. 
Matches at Nittawela consistently draw crowds of over 6000, a fanaticism that is unrivalled in the local rugby scene. 

The Kandy players, led by Ratwatte and coached by Fazil Marija, with their forwards coming under the wing of Viraj Prasanna, worked hard with discipline on and off the field, which resulted in another unbeaten season this year.

Club President Mahesh Weerasinghe and his team including Rugby Chairman, Lasantha Wijesuriya and Team Manager, former Isipathana player, Kapila Silva, have also provided strong support to the players and coaches.

Nigel speaking to Daily Mirror said, “I am glad I had the privilege to play for the Kandy Sports Club wearing the jersey that brought us the championship once again.  We could not have had a more successful year, and that’s thanks to the constant support of the coaches, committee and the boys under my leadership. It was sheer hard work, punctuality and commitment of the boys that made this year a successful one for me. I would like to thank them for having faith in me during my injury when I was off the field. They gave me a reason to play the sport I love and for being able to bring victory for the Kandy Sports Club for not only the sixth consecutive year but also remain unbeaten. Without our sponsors Cargills and Mobitel this dream is not a reality.”

“It is a pleasure to see so many Kandy fans come and watch the boys and giving us the love and support where ever we play,” he added. “Unfortunately we are unable to celebrate the victory due to the prevailing situation in the country but let’s all be safe and help one another.”

Coach Marija meanwhile said, “This was my first year as the head coach. I was excited and nervous because it was big task to take over and maintain a team like the Kandy Sports Club. I am happy that we won the league title and did it unbeaten.”

“Our fitness and discipline was been good this year. I focus on the skills of the whole team and not just individual players. This year they played as a team starting from the captain Nigel,” Marija added. 

The 22-gap also meant that the Super Round that was scheduled to be played would have been of no consequence as to who wins the title

Kandy SC

Squad: Nigel Ratwatte (Capt), Roshan Weeraratne, Shashika Jayawardena, Damith Dissanayake, Danushka Ranjan, Heshan Kalhara, Lavanga Perera, Oshan Perera, Tharinda Ratwatte, Danshka Dyan, Uchithra Jayasuriya, Lasitha Attanagoda, Tharindu Chathuranga, Yakoob Ali, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Kavindu Perera, Jason Dissanayake, Shehan Pathirana, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Sayuru Anthony, Anuruddha Wilwara, Ganuka Dissanyake, Ashan Darling, T Ranaweera, Heshan Jansen, Bawantha Udangamuwa, Malitha Rashmika, Lahiru Daulagala, W Madushanka, R Chandrarathne, Mohamed Shabeer, Tharaka de Silva, Diluksha Dange, Sanushka Abeywickrema, Charles Praveen, H Perera, N Priyarathne, Kavishka Lakshan, W Soysa, M Yaswanth, T Hilmi, K Bandara
Head Coach: Fazil Marija; Forwards Coach: Viraj Prasanna; Rugby Chairman: Lasantha Wijesuriya; Team Manager: Kapila Silva;SSS Administration Manager: Asela Wickremasinghe