Six-try Kandy storm at Nittawela

Kandy SC No 8 Dahan Wickramarachchi on an attacking move (Pix by Shane Senevirathne)

Kandy SC winger Dinal Ekanayake halted by a Havies player 

By Shamseer Jaleel at Nittawela

Kandy Sports Club produced a dominant six-try performance to overcome Havelock Sports Club by 36 points (6 tries, 3 conversions) to 26 points (4 tries, 3 conversions) in their Inter Club Rugby League encounter played before a packed Nittawela crowd yesterday. The defending champions controlled proceedings for long periods to seal second place on the table and sign off their home fixtures in the league with a bonus-point victory.
Kandy took a firm grip on the contest early, racing to a 19–7 lead at the short breather. Their ability to dictate tempo and exploit space out wide proved decisive against a Havies side that threatened only in patches.
The home side’s three-quarter line was outstanding throughout the afternoon. Dinal Ekanayake, Akash Madushanka and Srinath Sooriyabandara consistently broke the gain line, while the forwards laid a solid platform. Dilshan Fareed and Dahan Wickremarachchi were particularly effective in tight exchanges.
Havelock showed flashes of quality and briefly closed the gap to a single try, but Kandy’s defensive resolve and composure under pressure ensured they always stayed in control. For Havies, Azmir Fajudeen, Abdullah Faiz, Mohamed Rifan and Samoan Amituanai Visesio were outstanding.
Kandy struck inside the opening minute when scrum-half Heshan Jensen sniped over from close range. Hirusha Sampath took over kicking duties and converted. The hosts soon extended their lead through a sweeping backline movement finished off by Ekanayake, with Sampath adding the extras.
Samuel Maduwantha missed a long-range penalty for Havies, but Faiz responded with their opening try, which Maduwantha converted. Kandy, however, had the final say in the half when Ekanayake crossed for his second try just before the interval.
After the turnaround, the introduction of nippy scrum half Rifan injected pace into the Havelock backline. Visesio crossed the line, and Maduwantha converted to narrow the deficit.
Kandy responded emphatically with back-to-back tries through Fareed and Sooriyabandara. Havelock refused to fade away, with Fajudeen powering over twice to reduce the margin to 31–26.
A crucial moment followed when Ekanayake produced a superb tackle on Maduwantha near the line which made him knock the ball; Kandy capitalised soon after, as sustained pressure from another sweeping backline move saw Sampath score the final try to seal the contest.
With this convincing 36–26 victory, Kandy head to Colombo for their remaining matches full of confidence.
Referee: Raveen Alexander 
Kandy will play Army next week in their last first-round league match at Panagoda.
In another Inter Club league encounter, CH outclassed Sri Lions 59–12 at Longdon Place yesterday.