KANDY SC SURVIVE PARK CLUB FIGHTBACK IN 36–26 LEAGUE WIN

January 19, 2026 1:09 am

Sajeewa Jayakody

Defending champions Kandy Sports Club held their nerve under heavy pressure from visiting Havelock Sports Club to record a hard-fought 36 points (three goals, three tries) to 26 (three goals, two tries) victory in their Maliban Trophy SLR Inter-Club ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament match played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy yesterday after leading led 19–7 at half time.

Kandy SC dominated the first half with structured play and quick scoring, but the Park Club mounted a strong comeback after the break, pushing the hosts to the limit in a high-intensity contest.

Kandy opened scoring in the second minute when scrum-half Heshan Jansen went over near the posts. Fullback Hirusha Sampath added the easy conversion to give the hosts a 7–0 lead.

Two minutes later, winger and birthday boy Dinal Ekanayake finished well near the right corner flag. Sampath judged the conversion perfectly as Kandy surged ahead 14–0.

In the 17th minute, Sampath narrowly missed a 22-metre penalty, allowing the visitors some breathing space. Havelock then struck back in the 29th minute when prop forward and former skipper Abdullah Faiz powered over after a rolling maul. Fly-half Samuel Maduwantha converted to cut the deficit to 7–14.

Kandy responded strongly as Dinal Ekanayake scored his second try in the 34th minute, finishing a fine move started by number eight Daham Wickramarachchi and veteran fly-half Srinath Sooriyarachchi. The conversion was missed, but Kandy led 19–7 at the interval.

Havelock began the second half with intent, as foreign centre Amituanai Visesio (Junior) crossed under the posts just two minutes after the restart. Maduwantha’s conversion narrowed the score to 14–19. Kandy replied in the 47th minute through hooker Dilshan Fareed, who scored off a driving maul with support from second-row Chathur Soya. Sampath converted to extend the lead to 26–14.

The Hill Capital side added another try in the 59th minute from a powerful backline move, though the conversion was missed, taking the score to 31–14.

Havelock refused to give up. Hooker Azmir Fajudeen scored in the right corner in the 65th minute, with Maduwantha landing a fine conversion to reduce the margin to 21–31. Four minutes later, Fajudeen struck again from close range for an unconverted try, bringing the Park Club within five points at 26–31.

Just when the visitors threatened an upset, Kandy sealed the match in the final play. Fullback Hirusha Sampath crossed in the left corner in the 79th minute. The conversion was missed, but Kandy SC held on for a 36–26 victory at the final whistle.

•Courtesy from https://dailynews.lk/

https://dailynews.lk/2026/01/19/sports/935911/kandy-sc-survive-park-club-fightback-in-36-26-league-win/