Sevens glory for Kandy SC

 

Kandy SC, led by Sri Lanka’s XVs’ and 7s’ skipper Fazil Marija, kicked off the 2015 rugby season in grand style outclassing the defending inter-club sevens champions Havelock SC by 17 points to 10 in a tense final at the Race Course Rugby grounds today to secure the Cup.

At the breather Havies led 10-07.

The Cup final turned out to be a fiercely paced game. For Kandy SC Fazil Marija, Richard Dharmapala and Nigel Ratwatte were outstanding, with their lightening speed. On the other hand Havies skipper Sandun Herath and playmaker Dhanushka Ranjan looked threatening with ball in attack. Kandy after being led 07-10 came back and slowed down the game and played to a plan. Their defence too was rock solid in the latter half and did not allow the Park Club to score any points.

Kandy SC drew first blood through a Nigel Ratwatte try. Fazil added the extra points. But Havies hit back through their skipper Sandun Herath who found a gaping hole in the Kandy defence. Minutes later Havies took the lead through a try by second rower Shenal Dias. Both the conversions were missed by Dulaj Perera.

After the turn around tries were scored by Richard Dharmapala and Nigel Ratwatte to take a 17-10 lead. During the last two minutes it was Havies’ Dhanushka Ranjan who made a daring run covering nearly 70 meters before a match saving tackle by Richard Dharmapala, gave Kandy the first sevens trophy on offer this year.

Kandy SC beat Army SC B recording the highest score of the tournament winning by 70 points to nothing in the quarter finals. Moving in to the semi finals and after being held 7 a piece by CR & FC, Kandy fought back with back to back tries by Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and skipper Fazil Marija to move towards cup final. Havies too had an easy quarter final win over Navy ‘A’ (26-12) with Dhanushka Ranjan displaying excellent running rugby along with skipper Sandun Herath with both looking unstoppable. In the semi final they overcame Police SC.

CR & FC after going down to Kandy SC went on to win the Plate final when outclassed Police SC 33-00.

Pool matches:

Havelock SC ‘A’ beat Navy ‘A’ 26-12, Police beat Navy ‘B’ 22-10, Kandy SC beat Army ‘B’ 70-00, CR & FC beat Army ‘A’ 45-00, Havelock SC ‘B’ beat Petersons SC 32-00, Police SC ‘B’ beat Air Force SC ‘A’ 24-14, Police SC beat Havelock SC ‘B’ 19-17

Cup Final:

Kandy SC beat Havelock SC ‘A’ 17-10

Cup Semi Final:

Havelock SC ‘A’ beat Police SC ‘A’ 33-00
Kandy SC beat CR & FC 19-07

Bowl Final:

Navy SC ‘A’0 beat Army SC ‘A’ 29-07

Plate Final:
CR & FC beat Police 33-00