Havelock’s Dhanushka Ranjan and Kandy’s Christopher Cloete scores hat-tricks to take their team to win whilst Navari Eramasi of Navy scored a double as they beat the inconsistent Police at Welisara.
Havelock’s 31 – 23 Army
The park side managed to get another bonus point win as they beat the Soldiers. The playmaker Dulaj Perera did not have his best start as his passes were not accurate and kicking was not smooth. However, he found rhythm as the game progressed. Havies 9,10,12,13 has become phenomenal in the recent past. Dhanushka Ranjan and Villiami Tahitua combination has giving fruitful results. Although little Costa at scrum half needs to be consistent on his play.
Dulaj provided with some excellent long passes to pressurize the attacking flow.
Army on the other hand did not have a good first half despite their late action in the last quarter. Chula Susantha intercepted Jason Melder’s pass when Melder was trying to draw and pass to Rehan Thyagarajah at wing. After the last try Gayan Salinda missing the ‘under the post conversion’ was hilarious given his caliber.
Danushka Ranjan was not only solid in the attack his defense was also too good. It was not the first time we have seen this, during the first round he smashed the monstrous Rupeni Caukau twice at Race Course and last week he did not have much trouble stopping Epi Coconasia. Ranjan can be touted as the number one center in the island and it would be fascinating to watch how he tackles the big Koto Pongi when they host Kandy on 7th March. Sudarshana Muthuthantri was also outstanding with his defensive rate.
In addition to this, the refereeing standards of this game was atrocious. The linesman had a very good view as Hirantha Perera caused an illegal tackle when he went in without arms on a tackle on Army’s replacement foreigner Mesake Baisagale. Hirantha was astonishingly allowed to stay on the field but a few minutes later Mithun Hapugoda tackling without arms but using a shoulder push resulted in him being binned.
Talking Points : Ranjan run riot – Hirantha escapes from a card – Army still to be organized
Kandy 66 – Air Force 27
Too much power in the tank of Sean Wijesinghe’s men. Koto Pongi did what he was expected to do with his powerful running. Kandy including a foreign No 7 became the highlight in the start of the season, but Christopher Cloete has denied all the negative claims and he has proved that he is one of the best. His hat-trick makes him the highest try scorer with 13 tries.
Anurudda Wilwara looks he has lost a bit pace after his knee injury despite scoring two tries and missing the third one on the try line. Fazil Marija was brilliant once again. Damith Dissanayaka the hooker also played a gem of a game and was ThePapare player of the match.
Air Force in fact played much better without foreigners in the start of the season. Now it seems the locals totally depend on their foreign recruits. Their defending and attacking structure became vulnerable with no communication what so ever on the field. Nuwan Perera started as a good fly half but he has quite a lot to improve. The visitors scored three tries, two came from foreigners and even the final try scored by Lahiru Weerasinghe was with foreign assistance.
Air Force scoring 27 points is something for Kandy to look into their defense. Coach Johan Tailor surely has some concerns on it despite the final results. Kandy still remains on top but the next three fixtures for them will take the final decision down to the wire. Army is the only team who beat Kandy in round one but the Soldiers do not have the same fire power at present. Followed by this weekend clash Kandy will have a week off and then visit Havelock Park and then on March 15th will host Navy at Nittawela.
Talking Points : Pongi on fire – Cloete hat-trick – Airmen locals has to work hard
