Kandy unstoppable; Air Force take top spot in Plate

Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022/23

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Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022/23

The penultimate week of the Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022/23 Super Round drew to a close on Sunday. Defending champions and table toppers Kandy SC maintained their unbeaten tag as they go to the final week with hopes of lifting their 8th consecutive title. Air Force pipped Police to take the top spot in the Plate segment with one week left.

Kandy SC v Havelock SC

Full Time: 29 – 8

Much like their first round meeting at Havelock Park, Kandy dominated their rivals at Nittawala on Sunday. The visitors drew first blood with a penalty but what followed was pure domination by the defending champions. They scored three tries in the 1st half through skipper Damith Dissanayake, Wajid Fawmy and Tharindu Chathuranaga. All of them came from rolling mauls whereas it was the backs who ran riot in the first round in Colombo.

The second half started off with Kandy’s bonus point try from Dinal Ekanayake. Havies were no match despite having promised so much during the middle period of the season. However, they found some consolation at the death with a try from Ramesh Mendis.

CR&FC v Navy SC

Full time: 37 – 17

CR&FC continued their dominant form with another bonus point win against Navy at the Racecourse grounds on Saturday. Navy took the lead by 12-10 going into lemons, but a strong second half surge from the red shirts secured them the win. Tries from Chamod Muthunayake (2), Lahiru Pavithra, Lasindu Karunathilake, Thenuka Nanayakkara and Ruchira Ekanayake secured the points for CR. For the Sailors, Nirosh Perera, Adheesha Weerathunga and Samith Dhananjaya crossed the whitewash.

Air Force v CH&FC

Full time: 44 – 31

Air Force won a high scoring thriller against CH&FC to take back the top spot in the Plate segment on Friday at Racecourse grounds. Both teams scored five tries each but it was Nuwan Perera’s 3 penalties and five conversion that made the difference for the Airmen. Going into the break, the game was hanging in the balance with Air Force leading 18-17. In the second half, both teams scored 3 tries apiece but Perera’s accuracy in the conversions and the penalties made the difference.

For the Airmen, Krishan Soorya, Denuwan Lakranda, Tharidu Dabare, Parakrmana Ratnayake and Shashika Fernando scored tries, while Prasath Madushanka, Vishwa Kirella, Udara Jayapala, Avishka Lee, Teran Thiranagama crossed the whitewash for CH.

Police SC v Army SC

Full Time: 15 – 14

Prince Chamara’s drop goal proved to be the difference in the game between Police SC and Army SC at Police Park on Friday. Army SC scored two converted tries through Ijhaz Ahmed and Manoj Kumara. On both occasions, Police came from behind with a converted try from Heshan Thilakarathne and an unconverted try from Chamara. However, a stunning drop goal from Chamara in the 70th minute got Police in the lead which they held on until the final whistle.