BIRTHDAY GIFT TO KINGSWOOD. “looks de stay low”: ANTHO HONEYED @ NITTAWELA
Kingswood, Kandy celebrated its 117th anniversary in style as they made a late charge against an agile Anthonian attack at Nittawela this evening. The visitors from Randles’ Hill clinched the game 19-12, after trailing 7-3 at the breather.
However, the game was a huge let off from the stand point of “quality”, as loose ball handling, knock-ons, clumsy collections, wayward and forward passes, butterfingers and the like marred the performance of two sides reputed for carnage and destruction.
The Anthonian back division, in particular, had some classy moves but lacked the discipline to finish off the breaks. However, it was Kingswood that dominated play in the First Half, taking the ball deep into Anthonian territory but giving it away with their clumsy handling. After an early penalty from the Kingswood Scrum Half Roshan Weeraratne, the Anthonians stole a loose ball off the grip of the Kingswood Fullback to score under the post through their Number 09, Reyal.
The Second Half saw Kingswood re-entering the game with renewed vigour. In the 59th minute, Roshan Weeraratne went over for the solitary Kingswood try of the evening. In addition he added the extra 2 points, while firing across two further penalties and a cheeky drop goal to end injury time.
St. Anthony’s, however, seemed the less “sloppier” of the two sides. They, in fact, dominated the score for the first 50 minutes of play. The Kingswood back division was found feet-bound and was once too often messy with their collections. However, this inadequacy was compensated by some skillful moves by the Flank and the Centres. Kingswood’s issues include the lack of a reliable place-kicker. Weeraratne, to date, has not lived up to the standards set by Kingswood’s kickers from the last few seasons: Weerakkody and Dev Anand. Therefore, he will really have to revamp his boots ahead of crucial fixtures against Trinity, Isipatana, St. Peter’s and St. Thomas’.
In fact, the League is – as of now – left wide open with shock defeats delivered to the pre-season favourites Peter’s and Isipatana over the week. The biggest shocker came in the way of the Bamba lads, as they were rudely woken up from their high ride by the Thomians yesterday.
While the Thomians have proved that they mean business this season, the Trinitians, too, have laced up their boots for a spanking of their opponents. They paid a 60-6 neighbourly call to Vidyartha yesterday, building on the ground they cleared last week by thumping Isipatana at Longdon Place.
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