Kandy Sports Club put on a masterclass, dismantling Navy Sports Club with a dominant 66-5 triumph in their sixth-week clash of the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 at Nittawela.
Unbeaten Kandy Sports Club hosted the winless Navy outfit at their fortress under rainy conditions, with Asiri Senevirathne kicking off the game. The home side wasted no time asserting dominance, opening the scoring within three minutes as hooker Kenula Hettiarachchi powered over from a rolling maul, with Hirusha Sampath adding the conversion. (Kandy 07-00 Navy)
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Kandy continued to capitalize on their rolling maul, with Thilina Bandara darting into the left corner after patient build-up play for their second try. The Kandy backs then showcased their flair, quickly spreading the ball wide as Dhanuka Ranjan created space for winger Dinal Ekanayake, who made a strong run before returning the ball to Ranjan to cruise over for Kandy’s third try. Sampath once again slotted the conversion with ease. (Kandy 19-00 Navy)
Navy found themselves in deeper trouble when winger Chanaka Jayalath was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Shahid Zumri. Kandy capitalized immediately, opting for a penalty kick to the corner. From the subsequent lineout, hooker Kenula Hettiarachchi combined with Dahan Wickramarachchi on a clever short throw, allowing Wickramarachchi to exploit ample space and dive over for the bonus-point try. (Kandy 24-00 Navy)
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The tries kept flowing for the home side as Asiri Senevirathne showcased his skill, selling a dummy and fending off two defenders to break through Navy’s defense. Drawing the last defender, he offloaded to Thilina Bandara, who crossed the line for his second try of the match. In the final play of the half, Kandy’s forwards displayed patience with a series of drives before releasing the ball to Dinal Ekanayake. Ekanayake stepped past three defenders to score another sensational try. Hirusha Sampath converted both tries, sending the hosts into the break with a commanding lead.
Half Time: Kandy SC 38 (6T,4C) – Navy SC 00
Kandy carried their first-half dominance into the second half with a commanding performance from the scrum. The forwards outmuscled Navy, allowing Dahan Wickramarachchi to break off the back and drive over for his second try. Moments later, Kandy capitalized on another scrum, spreading the ball wide as Diluksha Dange delivered a precise pass to outside centre Danushka Ranjan, who crossed for his second try. Hirusha Sampath added the extras for both tries. (Kandy 52-00 Navy)
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The home side’s dominance persisted as Heshan Jansen exploited space on the blindside, delivering a well-timed pass to debutant Gayan Perera, who stepped past two defenders to score his maiden try. Navy’s misery continued when Sanushka Abeywickrama broke through the defence and offloaded to Dhanushka Ranjan, who gained valuable meters before setting up Diluksha Dange to cross over. Hirusha Sampath added the extras for both tries, maintaining his flawless kicking display. (Kandy 66-00 Navy)
Finally, Navy found an opportunity to attack as their forwards made inroads with a series of pick-and-drives. Skipper Stephan Gregory powered through two defenders to score, opening the account for the Sailors. (Kandy 66-05 Navy)
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Navy dominated the final ten minutes of the game, but despite their efforts, they were unable to break through Kandy’s resolute defence. The home side held firm, denying Navy any tries, as Kandy secured a resounding victory.
Full Time: Kandy SC 66 (10T,8C) – Navy SC 05 (1T)
Player of the Match: Kenula Hettiarachchi (Kandy SC)
Points Breakdown
Kandy SC 66
Kenula Hettiarachchi 1T, Thilina Bandara 2T, Danushka Ranjan 2T, Dahan Wickramarachchi 2T, Dinal Ekanayake 1T, Gayan Perera 1T, Diluksha Dange 1T, Hirusha Sampath 8C
Navy SC 05
Stephan Gregory 1T