Champs Kandy smash Air Force 36-22

By Sajeewa Jayakody

Defending champions Kandy SC rode on a blistering first-half rally to record a 36 (three goals, three tries) to 22 (one goal, three tries) win over Air Force SC in their Inter-club ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament match played at Ratmalana yesterday after leading 29-0 at the breather.

Hooker Dilshan Fareed opened the scoring in the 10th minute from a rolling maul, though fly half Asiri Seneviratne missed the conversion. Winger Dinal Ekanayake then sprinted down the right flank to score in the 14th minute, again unconverted, as Kandy stretched the lead to 10–0.

Scrum half Heshan Jansen kept the pressure on with a sharp try in the 20th minute while centre Danushka Ranjan crossed under the posts five minutes later after a scrum. Seneviratne added the extras to make it 22–0.

Kandy’s dominance continued when number eight Dahan Wickramarachchi finished off a line out move in the 32nd minute with Seneviratne converting to seal a 29–0 half time advantage.

After the resumption, winger Kavindu Perera touched down in the 49th minute and Seneviratne converted to take Kandy to 36–0.

The Airmen then showed their fighting spirit. Second row Maleesha Weerakoon scored in the 53rd minute, followed by hooker Shamika Kaushan, who crossed twice in quick succession in the 64th and 69th minutes.

Kandy’s second row forward Chathura Soysa was sin-binned in the final moments of the game and the Airmen were awarded a penalty try, reducing the margin as Kandy sealed a 36–22 win at the final whistle.

Referee: Kelum Sandaruwan.

•Courtesy from https://www.sundayobserver.lk/

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/01/04/sport/69293/champs-kandy-smash-air-force-36-22/