It was expected to be a tough assignment against the rugged soldiers. But the champions at times, played close to the peak of their ability to run out easy winners 38 (5 goals, one drop) to 10 (2 tries).
Kandy had been guilty in their two previous matches of falling well short of the expected class. Yesterday was slightly different. They started off well at a furious pace and within minutes had gone 14-0 up. The Army tried to stay with them and they and they did for the last quarter of the opening half. They attacked relentlessly and were rewarded for their efforts when they were able to push back Kandy deep into their 25. Dhanushka Pushpakumara was able to sneak through in the teeth of opposition. Sadly for the Army, Gayan Salinda’s kick veered away from the left upright.
However in the first twenty minutes or so, Kandy indulged in some exciting play. There was hardly a dropped pass as the back division went into concerted action. Burly Heshan Kalhara got Kandy going with a bit of a soft try. He wrong footed the last two defenders, and they could only watch as the burly forward waltzed through a large gap.
Thilina Wijesinghe who contributed 15 of Kandy’s 39 points, kicked five conversions over. For good measure he scored his team’s fifth try. He rushed in collected the ball and chipped neatly over the defence. He followed up and beat the lone defender to the ball. He added the extra points himself.
Late in this half, an Army forward charged down a Kandy player’s kick in their 22. But he couldn’t follow up and clinched the issue.
The Army attacked strongly close to the short whistle. They were involved in some stirring rugby. But a dropped pass stymied their effort and Kandy was able to clear almost from their goal line. The score was 14-5 at the break.
Danushka Ranjan got Kandy’s third try with a dandy bit of work. He rushed in behind the forwards, took a reverse pass and wrong-footed the defence (21-5).
Roshan Weeraratne now provided glimpses of Kandy’s former brilliance. The ball was being swung around when Weeraratne dashed in and went through the Army defence at speed.( 28-5)
Army’s moment of glory was provided by winger Sudaraka Dikkumbura. Midway in the second half, the army played the ball wide. It reached Dikkumbura on the wing. He raced along the touchline in a 40-yard effort and brushed off a couple of tackles to dive over (28-10).
Fly half Arshad Jamaldeen dropped a neat goal at the tail end of the proceedings. The Army was only good in patches. They spurned two kickable penalties, opting for kicks to the corner. Nothing came off those efforts and a possible six points were lost.
Kandy is an experienced, talented side. They know how, and when, to increase the tempo. Today’s win would be quietly satisfied. They have three tough games coming up, but the good thing is (from their point of view) that all will be home games.
Referee- Rohan Fernando
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