Bahrain Rugby Football Club travelled to Sri Lanka knowing that they had no chance of winning the 2017 Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League (ARWCCL).
They did believe, however, that a good performance would give them a boost in their 1st West Asia Premiership Match at home when they host the Abu Dhabi Harlequins – the same team they narrowly lost to in the opening match of the ARWCCL – on Friday 29th of September.
Kandy went into the match knowing that a bonus point win with a 4 points margin would mean they win their 1st ever ARWCCL Trophy in 3 years. This produced a very competitive & close match with the final score being Kandy SC 23 – 24 Bahrain RFC.
Kandy opened the scoring with Thilina Wijesinghe kicking a penalty from the left side of the pitch, before Bahrain responded with a try from Richard Muncaster in the left corner converted by Ivan Philips.Kandy 3 – 7 Bahrain
Man of the match prop Davis Tui scored for Bahrain after picking the ball & diving from close range. Ivan converted the try. Kandy 3 – 14 Bahrain
Kandy hit back immediately after Anurudda Wilwara received a pass inside his own half. He stepped, ran through & bouncing off at least five defenders on his way to the try line before touching down. His Try was converted by Thilina. Kandy 10 – 14 Bahrain
Bahrain kicked a penalty to extend their lead before Kandy scored a drop goal to maintain the 4-point difference (Kandy 13 – 17 Bahrain). However, Bahrain had other ideas before half time & Mark Burnel took full advantage off the dominance the Bahrain forward pack had & scored under the posts for an easy conversion.
Half-time score Kandy 13 – 24 Bahrain.
Soon after half time, Anurudda Wilwara scored his 2nd Try of the match but unfortunately for Kandy the conversion kick bounced off the posts. Kandy 18 – 24 Bahrain
Captain Gayan Weerarathne scored in the corner for Kandy after some excellent offloading & handling from the forwards. The conversion was missed again. Kandy 23 – 24 Bahrain
Bahrain Rugby Football Club held on to win their 1st win in the Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League & gathered invaluable momentum & self-belief before they meet the Abu Dhabi Harlequins, whom they have just helped retain their trophy.
www.facebook.com/KandySCofficial Photo Credit: Shafeek Razaak – KSC Official
