Kandy Sports Club led by Damith Dissanayake gave a good display to be the kings of inter club Nippon Paint rugby for 2022/23, and won the league title to become the club to win the highest number of titles. Kandy Sports Club scored 29 points off three goals, one try and a penalty and CR & FC’s 10 points was off a goal and a penalty. It was the second half rally which helped Kandy Sports Club to win. Soon after the final whistle the Nippon trophy was awarded to Kandy Sports Club skipper Damith.
From the first whistle of the game, saw CR and FC having better exchanges and their backs did well with the ball, but Kandy SC forwards knew what to do and they did their part.
Then in the ninth minute CR & FC were awarded a penalty and was put over by Chathura Seneviratne to make 3-0. From this penalty kick both sides did well and CR & FC were the better side and scored a try in 35th minute through Thenuka Nanayakara whihc was goaled by Chathura Seneviratne and the score board read 10-00 at the breather in favour of CR and FC. Kandy SC had a few chances of scoring before the half time, but failed.
After the turn over, Kandy Sports Club set a hot pace and a fine try was scored by Lavanga Perera which was goaled by Tharinda Ratwatte to give them seven points against 10.
The game took a twist and moved the ball well and off a second phase move saw winger Kavindu Perera score and Tharinda Ratwatte did the kicking part to give Kandy Sports Club 14-10 lead in the 60th minute.
In the girst half CR & FC had a good game and led but in the second half Kandy Sports Club never allowed the CR and FC a foothold in the match, seizing an immediate ascendancy in field position before showing their ability to both control and break open a game. With this win, Kandy SC has won the; league title 23 times in 29 years. Kandy Sports Club ruggerites did the Kandy city proud ending the season undefeated.
They hold the record for the highest number of wins since the expanded competition commenced in 1950. Kandy SC is a club with a long and proud history and that history may have counted very little if not for the good work done by the Club committee and the players. It took 44 years for the Nittawela club to win the league title and become almost an invincible force in the rugby field by ending the dominance of the Colombo based clubs. Referee: Gihan Yatawara.
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