Kandy Sports Club secured a dominant 37-5 victory over Air Force Sports Club in their Week 7 showdown of the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 at Nittawela
Unbeaten Kandy Sports Club hosted a resilient Air Force side to conclude Week 7. The visitors put on a strong defensive display in the opening minutes but conceded a sloppy penalty, allowing Kandy’s Tharinda Ratwatte to slot an easy kick to open the scoring. (Kandy 03-00 Air Force)
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Kandy continued to press against the Air Force defense, but the visitors held firm for several phases and even managed a turnover. However, a handling error on the next phase allowed Dilshad Fareed to gather the loose ball and advance play near the 5-meter line. Kavindu Perera then collected a quick pass from Heshan Jansen to dive over for Kandy’s first try. (Kandy 08-00 Air Force)
>>Last-Minute Heroics Lift Air Force Over Police<<
Kandy found their momentum with a scrum near the halfway mark. Heshan Jansen delivered a precise pass to Dinal Ekanayake, who ran a perfect line, slicing through the Airmen defense. Ekanayake evaded the last two defenders to complete a brilliant 50-meter dash and score a spectacular try. (Kandy 13-00 Air Force)
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Half Time: Kandy SC 13 (2T,1P) – Air Force SC 00
Kandy wasted no time asserting their dominance in the second half after earning a penalty near the halfway line. Tharinda Ratwatte unleashed a massive kick, driving his team to the 5-meter mark. From there, the Kandy forwards executed a powerful rolling maul, with Dahan Wickramarachchi breaking off to crash over the whitewash for the hosts’ third try. (Kandy 18-00 Air Force)
Kandy kept up the pressure as the Airmen struggled to keep pace. Dilshad Fareed made a powerful carry, bringing his team close to the try line. Heshan Jansen then sold a clever dummy and found a gap to dive over for the bonus-point try. However, Tharinda Ratwatte’s struggles with the tee continued as he missed his fourth consecutive conversion. (Kandy 23-00 Air Force)
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Kandy had to withstand a brief period of defensive pressure but emerged unscathed before launching a brilliant counterattack from their own half. Heshan Jansen linked up with Diluksha Dange, who ran a superb line to break through the Air Force defense, taking the play into the 22-meter area. Quick hands from the Kandy backs then set up Danushka Ranjan to dive over in the right corner. Asiri Senevirathne took over kicking duties and nailed a difficult conversion from the corner to cap off another spectacular move. (Kandy 30-00 Air Force)
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Kandy faced a setback when Thilina Bandara was shown a yellow card, giving the Airmen an opportunity to press forward. The visitors launched another rolling maul that brought them close to the try line but were initially halted by Kandy’s resolute defence. Undeterred, the Airmen patiently employed pick-and-drive tactics, eventually breaking through when Sandanu Mandiv powered over the line to put points on the board for the visitors. (Kandy 30-05 Air Force)
Kandy sealed the game in style with a perfectly executed set-piece move from a scrum. Asiri Senevirathne connected with Kavindu Perera, who cut an inside line, breaking through the Airmen’s defence. Perera then delivered a precise pop pass to skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara, who cruised untouched under the posts. Senevirathne added the extras, clinching Kandy’s sixth consecutive victory as they now prepare for two crucial away games in Colombo against Police and the highly anticipated clash against CR & FC.
Full Time: Kandy SC 37 (6T,2C,1P) – Air Force SC 05 (1T)
Player of the Match: Dahan Wickramarachchi (Kandy SC)
Points Breakdown
Kandy SC 37
Kavindu Perera 1T, Dinal Ekanayake 1T, Dahan Wickramarachchi 1T, Heshan Jansen 1T, Danushka Ranjan 1T, Srinath Sooriyabandara 1T, Tharinda Ratwatte 1P, Asiri Senevirathne 2C
Air Force SC 05
Sandanu Mandiv 1T