Nigel Ratwatte stole spotlight in the much anticipated Navy Kandy clash this evening as Kandy Sports Club secured a 29-10 victory against the sailors breaking the hoodoo after a lapse of three years.

A top class performance by Nigel Ratwatte steered Kandy Sports Club to a 29-10 victory against Navy Sports Club this evening at Nittawela to keep their unbeaten tag intact at the conclusion of the first round of the Dialog Rugby League.

Nigel Ratwatte stars in Kandy’s famous win against NavyScoring a total aggregate of 24 points accounting to almost 95% of Kandy’s total tally this evening, Ratwatte was the clear difference between the two sides as Kandy were able to record their first win against the Sailors at home since 2012.

With the pavilions at Nittawela flooding with high-spirited spectators, the game started off with a nightmare for the home team. Within minutes of the start, Navy’s full back Thilina Weerasinghe spotted the gap in the Kandy defense to run through the corner as he sent a clean inside pass to Lee Keegel who scored under the post. With Weerasinghe converting, the Sailors had themselves a 7 point lead leaving everyone in the pavilions in shock (7-0)

Intelligent judgment by skipper Fazil Marija to go for points on a 30-meter penalty proved to be successful as Nigel Ratwatte who took up kicking duties for the first time curved in the kick through the uprights successfully (3-7). With first points on the board, Kandy once again went for the uprights as Nigel Ratwatte continued his success from the first attempt to put through another from the same angle (6-7).

Navy tried to work on the gaps of the Kandy forwards in the lines through their powerful third row but attempts failed as Navy’s infringements proved to be their weakness. Capitalizing on these mistakes, Nigel Ratwatte kicked another 40 meter angled penalty to take the lead for the first time in the 20th minute of play (9-7).

Chances kept coming for the Kandyans from their opponent’s faults as Nigel Ratwatte got two more opportunities in the last few stages of play to pile up the Kandy points. One of them was a 45 meter penalty that Nigel kicked-in against the wind (15-7)

With Navy looking for options as time was running out in the first half, Chanaka Chandimal tried his luck with a drop goal attempt to get his team up by three more points as referee Cader blew for lemons.

Half time 15-10

Kandy were still struggling, looking for that prized try right from the start of the second half. They were almost through in an attempt on the right flag with Danshaya Dayan crossing over but Nigel Ratwatte stars in Kandy’s famous win against Navythe ball was held up depriving them of a worthy try.

Kandy’s breakthrough came in the 15th minute, with Roshan Weeraratne passing a quick one to Nigel Ratwatte who spotted empty space and raced his way to the left corner to score (20-10). It was a wonderful display of talent as Ratwatte  converted the 44m conversion on the try he scored to add the two extras (22-10).

The deciding try that sealed the game for the home team came Nigel Ratwatte stars in Kandy’s famous win against Navyten minutes later as Buweneka Udangamuwa’s quick offload on to Gayan Weerarathne saw him crossing over for the second try. Nigel Ratwatte continued his kicking success once again by sending another 44-meter conversion taking his team’s total to 29.

With Weerarathne’s try being the final score for the evening, Kandy Sports Club had registered another exciting win at home against Navy Sports Club after a long lapse.

Ratwatte had a fabulous day in the office as spearheaded the attack scoring 24 points in total and controlling the game from the back. Ratwatte would be looking to keep his 100% kicking ratio in tact as the season will progress on to the second round next week.

“It was a team performance and I was fortunate enough to play a role in it. I have been practicing my kicking in the last week putting in more effort so I hope we could work on our mistakes and come out better in the second round” added Nigel Ratwatte, ThePapare’s Player of the Match.

Final Score: Kandy 29 (2T 2C 5P)

Tries by Gayan Weeraratne & Nigel Ratwatte

Nigel Ratwatte : 5P 2C 1T – 24

Navy Sports Club 10 (1T 1C 1DG)

Try by Lee Keegal

Conversion and Drop Goal by Chanaka Chandimal (5)

Match Replay