Kandy SC came from behind to snatch a last minute victory over a determined Havelock SC side by 24 points (3 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty) to 20 (2 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) in their Premier League inter club rugby encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday.
Kandy SC players who were trailing Havelocks by three points up to the final minute, made good use of a penalty to take play up to the Havelocks five metre line with a kick to touch.
Their forwards in a rolling maul lived up to expectations to seal the result against Havelocks that came many times near at scoring but were thwarted by Kandy SC’s rock solid defence. Winger Dinal Ekanayake put the finishing touches to score going over the line after fly half Nigel Ratwatte sent out a long pass. Ratwatte converted making the scores 24-20 in favour of Kandy SC who trailed for in almost their entire second half.
The second half began with Havelocks leading 20-10 but Kandy struck back in the 47th minute when they won a line out near the Havelocks line and used a rolling maul to go over with Akil Mohamed hugging on to the ball to touch down.
Nigel Ratwatte made the conversion in the absence of Tharinda Ratwatte who opted out with a shoulder injury.
Havelocks tried to increase on the lead when they were offered a penalty from 55 metres out but the conversion attempt by Samuel Maduwantha fell short.
The first half saw Havelocks dominate with a major share of possession and used their heavier forwards to advantage to gain ground into Kandy territory.
Havelocks opened scoring through a penalty almost with the kick off and Samuel Maduwantha put over the easy kick.
Kandy SC had an easy opportunity to equalize but their reliable place kicker Tharinda Ratwatte’s kick hit the up right.
However, Kandy went ahead when they won a loose maul and on working the back division had centre Tharinda Ratwatte go over easily. He converted the try and Kandy took the lead 7-3.
Kandy SC also lost Kavindu Perera through a red card for a high tackle.
Havelocks came back when their winger Jayathi Rajaratne was smart enough to sniff an interception in the offing and collecting the ball dashed over 50 metres to score under the post.
Maduwantha had an easy conversion and Havelocks went ahead 10-7.
Havelocks increased on their lead through another penalty by Maduwantha to 13-7.
Kandy SC increased on their score through a penalty by Tharinda Ratwatte from 30 metres out.
However, Havelocks won a line out and sent the ball back to hooker Azmir Fajudeen who barged over for a try and Maduwantha made a good conversion from near the touch line making the scores 20-10.
