Missed Mubarak conversion gifts Kandy the league title

A relatively easy conversion missed by Havelock SC full back Reeza Mubarak following the try scored by centre Dinuk Amarasinghe gifted Kandy the 2018/19 Dialog Inter-club league title at Havelock Park yesterday.

Kandy SC won 21 points (2 tries, 1 conversion, 3 penalties) to 19 (3 tries, 2 conversions).

Havies were playing without their head coach Sanath Martis - suspended pending inquiry and at half time trailed Kandy 0-18.

Havies had only themselves to blame for this defeat as they opted to go for touch instead of taking three easy kickable penalties within the range of 20-25 metres, which was clearly within the range of their reliable place kicker Mubarak. Kandy opted for the three penalties which came their way as their place kicker full back Thilina Wijesinghe was on target adding nine points in the match which in the end proved to be the winning factor.

Kandy opened scoring in the third minute with a superb try scored by their fly half Nigel Ratwatte off a three quarter move. Wijesinghe fluffed the conversion and Kandy led 5-nil.

In the 13th minute of the game Kandy SC went into a 8-nil lead through a simple 25-metre penalty slotted in by Wijesinghe.

Wijesinghe put over an easy 30 metre penalty again for Kandy to increase their score to 11-nil in the 18th minute.

In the 27th minute Kandy captain cum winger Richard Darmapala scored a spectacular under the post try going through seven Havelock defenders using his nippy foot work. Wijesinghe slotted in the conversion and they went in to a strong 18-nil lead at half time. On resumption in the 45th minute Wijesinghe fired across another simple 30-metre penalty to increase the margin to 21-nil.

Havelock SC opened their account and scored in the 57th minute when their second row forward Sithum Peiris barged over the Kandy defence for a superb try. Mubarak fired across the conversion to make the score to 21-7.

Havies scored again in the 71st minute to cut down the lead to 21-12 through an excellent try scored by centre Dinuk Amarasinghe off a fine three quarter move. Mubarak missed the easy conversion. The home team had plenty of chances of breaching the Kandy defence on no less than four occasions, but their moves lacked the finishing touches, despite the presence of several reputed national players in their side.

Finally the Park Club boys scored a consolation try in the last move of the day when their nippy scrum half Mithun Hapugoda touched down spectacularly. Mubarak slotted in the conversion thus losing the game. If Havies had at least drawn the game they would have been crowned league champs but the missed conversion by Mubarak cost them the championship.

CH and FC full back Samuel Maduwantha was adjudged the highest points scorer of the 2018/19 League tournament and CH and FC scrum half Sudam Sooriarachchi and Havies scrum half Mithun Hapugoda were adjudged the highest tries scorers with 11 each. Referee: Just Wong (Singapore)