League champions Kandy SC warmed up for the upcoming Clifford Cup final on Sunday (6) at home, as they overpowered CH and FC 38-21, in their first semifinal clash at Nittawela yesterday (1).
Though CH trailing 26-0 at half-time, won the second-half 21-12, the visitors were always up against it and clearly failed to match up to their hosts’ onslaught.
Kandy’s forwards and backs clicked well on the day and their offloading game was a highlight, with makeshift full back and Isipathana prodigy Shahid Zumri and inside centre Diluksha Dange, standing out with two tries a piece.
Besides the duo, left wing Dinal Ekanayake and fly half Nigel Ratwatte also scored, while the home team scored from four converted tries and two tries overall.
CH who woke up from their unusual deep slumber only after the turnaround, as the home side relaxed with their coach emptying the bench, responded with three converted tries.
For the visitors, substitute Anuk Fernando, skipper and left wing Janidu Dilshan and substitute back Ramesh Fernando, had a touchdown each, but it was always a case of damage limitation, after the dismal effort in the opening 40 minutes.
Kandy bossed the one-sided first-half, with Zumri, Ekanayake, Dange and Ratwatte crossing over respectively, to settle the contest without breaking sweat.
In the second stanza though, the players from Maitland Crescent cashed on the few chances they got to outscore the League champions by three tries to two, but it was a case of too little too late for them.
With this victory Kandy will host the winners of today’s Clifford Cup second semi final between Havelocks SC and CR and FC at Havelock Park, to complete a double for the 2024-25 inter-club rugby season.
(The Morning JK)
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