Crucial Mistakes Cost CR Dearly

It was billed to be the match of the decade, the fitting finale to an outstanding season of league Rugby. CR brimming with confidence and Kandy SC determined to turn tables on the red devils after suffering defeat in Colombo.

The CR team was seen at the team hotel (Citadel) in a relaxed and focused mood prior to the game; they looked confident - - a side that had come to win. Opening moments displayed this confidence - - CR playing red hot rugby with Kandy wilting under the pressure in the first half. The CR team crashed through the Kandy defence during most parts of the first half and dominated play to lead 10 – 5 at the lemons.

The tries were scored by Harin Kaluarachchi and Shamly Nawaz. Shamly's try was a classic rolling maul that put the Kandy forwards to the test. Both conversions were fluffed by Pushpakumara returning from injury. By this time red devils were executing their well rehearsed moves to perfection and had the Kandy boys in tatters.

17 minutes after the turnaround, CR scored again mid left through their inspirational captain and flanker Pavithra Fernando. This conversion was fluffed yet again by Dhanushka Pushpakumara. Pushpakumara continued to suffer loss of kicking form throughout the game and failed to score any points whenever the opportunity presented itself. For a player with over 100 points this current season, Pushpakumara's sudden loss of form could have been a crucial factor in CR's defeat at the hands of his former club.

The crowd was now crying for blood and two ugly incidents forced the CR players to go off the ground to avoid any injury through flying missiles. The touch judge was hit by an empty king coconut and a CR player was hit by a flying coke bottle. The Kandy Sports Club authorities would do well to ensure the grounds clear of any glass bottles and other such innovative missiles when organizing high profile games.

The last twenty minutes of the game saw an inspirational rally by the Kandy team and a shocking turnaround of fortunes for CR. Kandy rattled them and the CR players committed several mistakes that were converted to points by the marauding Kandy players. First it was a peach of drop goal by Full back Nalaka. Then it was a deep kick by Nalaka to the left flank that saw Chamara Withanage collecting and scoring by the left corner flag. Nalaka converted this try and dashed any hopes of CR making a comeback.

The tight CR defence was seen running in circles under the Kandy onslaught. The proud defensive record enjoyed by CR throughout the season was put to shame. What CR had to do was defend hard to ensure that Kandy did not get the much wanted goal  --- the goal that would cost them the league.  And so much in disarray were they, that CR could not successfully defend their goal line to prevent that try!

Kandy then held on to the eight point lead to finish the game 23 – 15 and win the Caltex league for the seventh consecutive year.

It's back to the drawing board for the players and the team management. The character of the team will be tested during the next few weeks of knockout rugby. As displayed throughout the season CR has the nucleus to form a champion outfit. It is in times such as this, younger players look to inspirational leadership. CR in their ranks have several senior players such as Sava, Mushtaq, Rodda, Nawaz, Viraj and captain Pavithra who are capable of inspiring the young and energetic team to greater heights. Coach Grant and Nana (Team Manager) seems to have worked wonders with this young side and they seem to be working well in tandem. We look forward to seeing more great rugby from this side.

Finally, if CR managed to covert their tries and the kickable penalty, the scoreboard would have painted a different picture. But as the old saying goes, “If the queen had balls, she would be king”.

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