(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – League Champions Kandy Sports Club claimed the 2017 Clifford Cup Knockout Tournament after beating Havelocks Sports Club by 32 points to 20 in the finals at the Nittawela yesterday (26th Sunday). Following their stunning league win a fortnight ago, Kandy secured back to back domestic doubles handing Havelocks SC another runners-up trophy. The Park Club started the game confidently, dominating position in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Center Hirantha Perera opened scoring with a penalty however Kandy fullback Thilina Wijeysinghe leveled the score with a 35 meter penalty. Kandy then extended their lead with back to back converted tries by Gayan Weeraratne. Experienced Fazil Marijah capped off a brilliant opening half with a converted try during injury time. At lemons, the hosts led 24-03.
Havelocks resumed the latter half strongly and scored a brilliant try through center Nishon Perera. However Kandy hit back immediately with Fullback Wijeysinghe dissecting the uprights through a 40 meter drop goal. The two teams then played out a scrappy exchange with heavy downpour preventing fast open rugby. In the last quarter of the game, Havelocks managed to score consecutive tries through Nishon Perera and skipper Dushmantha Priyadharshana and closed the gap. However a last minute corner flag try by winger Richard Dharmapala secured a famous victory at the den to conclude the 2017 local club rugby season.
