KANDY SPORTS CLUB BEAT NAVY SC TO WIN CLIFFORD CUP AGAIN

-
Kandy Sports Club beat Navy Sports Club 21-7 to win their 21st Clifford Cup title since 1992. The club had earlier clinched their 19th Dialog League title after an amazing unbeaten run. It is also the last match for Sri Lanka's legend, Fazil Marija who will officially retire after today's match at the Longdon Place.

Kandy started-off the final with a convincing performance. They stunned the Navy with an early try by Dahanushka Ranjan just two minutes after the kick-off. An impressive 30 metre run by Gayan Weeraratne helped Ranjan to score the opener. Navy struggled to compete against their opponent, but own mistakes denied their chances. Nigel Ratwatte increased the advantage to 8-0 with a penalty before the break.

Navy SC came on in the second half with stronger approach. Mohamed Abzal broke into Kandy's try area two minutes after the match resumed to take his team back into contention. Thilina Weerasinghe made no mistake for the conversion and reduced the deficit to just a point difference.

Kandy players got their act right after that. The increased the pressure and got a try in the 59th minute through Ranjan again. Thilina Wijesinghe missed the conversion but he paid back with a succesful 30-metres penalty in the 62nd minute. Three minutes later was probably the last magical display by Fazil, a cross-kick by him fell right into the hands of Shehan 'Lema' Pathirana for Kandy's third try of the match.

It was enough to seal the title for Kandy Sports Club. A great finale, and definitely the sweetest fairwell match for the departing legend, Fazil Marija. The Clifford Cup is the most prestigious rugby championship in Sri Lanka, and probably the oldest rugby tournament in Asia. It was started in 1911 and this year is the 83rd edition.

Photos by Shafeek Razaak




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MUAMALAT BULLETS CLINCH VICTORY IN PHUKET

-
Image
Bank Muamalat Bullets  edged  KL Tigers  14-12 in the cup final to win the  Dimbulla Phuket International Rugby 11's . It was an all-Malaysian final at Thanyapura Phuket Sports and Health Resort, where both sides played in a very thrilling match. KL Tigers reached the final after defeating the  Bangkok Bangers  of Thailand 7-0 in the semi-final. Muamalat Bullets beat Vietnam's  Hanoi Dragons  7-0 in the last four to set up the nail-biting clash against the Tigers. It is another achievement for Muamalat. After winning a number of tournaments in Malaysia and Indonesia, the Bullets showed the same class in Phuket. Team Manager,  Megat Faisal  and Head Coach,  Mazuri Salehudin  have been working tirelessly to build the Bank Muamalat rugby team. And their hardworks had started to show signs of success. THE MATCH
Read more

MERSING EAGLES EDGE UITM LIONS TO CLAIM MRL THIRD PLACE

-
Image
MRL PREMIER 3RD/4TH PLACINGS MERSING EAGLES 25 - UITM LIONS 24 Mersing Eagles claimed the third place finishing in the Malaysia Rugby League Premier Division. The Eagles edged the never-say-die UiTM Lions 25-24 at UPM Serdang on Saturday. After losing to ASAS RC in the semifinals, Mersing Eagles showed determination right from the start. They took complete control of the first half leaving UiTM Lions pointless. Three tries by Timoci Vunimoku , Mohd Farid Sujari and Semi Nakaira , plus two conversions by Jahanghir Khan gave the Eagles a strong 19-0 advantage at the break. UiTM Lions were more organized when the match resumed. They made four tries through Mohd Syahimy Abd Aziz , Luqman Nurhakim Hendri Dwisatrya , Mohamad Danial Noor Hamidi , and two conversions by Mohamad Sofian Mohd Kamil and Muhammad Al-Hafiz Effendi Abd Ranie lifted them into contention again. However, two penalties by Wan Mohd Ashraf in the 48th and 66th minute were enough to seal the narrow 25-24 victory for
Read more

PERAK CLAIM FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

-
Image
Perak edged PJ City FC to claim their first win in Liga Super this season. However, the maiden victory did not come easy for the Bos Gaurus despite playing at their home ground. PJ City gave a good fight before going down in Ipoh. Perak started well but the strikers could not beat PJ City's solid defence. Then the real opportunity came in the 37th minute when Mohd Nor Hakim was brought down inside the penalty area. Wander Luiz Bitencourt Jr made no mistake from the spot to beat Mohd Muhaimin Mohamad and put his team ahead. The home side got more chances in the second half. Wander Luiz attempt in the 51st minute was saved by Muhaimin. Nor Hakim also failed to find the net with his header in the 74th minute. Safee Sali and Sergio Nascimento also had their chances, but Perak's goalkeeper  Muhammad Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy was at his best. The 1-0 score remained until the final whistle, and Mehmet Durakovic has finally found his winning touch.
Read more