Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Monday, 27 January 2020 00:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
CR & FC commenced the second round with a hard fought win over the Sailors away in Welisara 23/19 courtesy of a late Wajid Fahmy try.
Gihan Perera scored the first Navy try with the help of former Kingswood and Joe’s player, Chathura Seneviratne who covered more than 50 metres to pass off the ball to his teammate to score and draw first blood. Isuru Kongahawatte added the extras. A few minutes later Reza Rafaideen penalty cut the deficit but it was short lived as the home team scored their second try through Charith Silva. Isuru added the extra two points. Reza Mubarak did not take the starting line-up along with regular skipper, Omalka Gunaratne, the Red Shirts probably leaving the best for the latter half. The game started to change with the experienced National XV A Side skipper Omalka taking the field late in the initial half. He scored the Longdon place clubs only first half try to take the short breather trailing 8/14 by six points.
After the short breather former Wesley playmaker Mursheed Zubair started off with a penalty for the visitors to cut the deficit to three points. But Raveen De Silva scored for the Sailors while CR replied through Janidu Dilshan with evergreen, Reza Mubarak adding the extras. Wajid Fahmy left his mark till the last with a winning try for the Longdon Place club and kept their hopes alive to re-claim the league title after more than two decades.
Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen.
Kandy runs riot in Ratmalana
Kandy Sports Club marched forward with their unbeatable lead in the league when they grounded the Air Force outfit at Ratmalana 55/8.
At the short breather, unlike the first round, Kandy was a bit slow in their progress leading 12/3 but cut lose in the later half to run riot at Ratmalana.
Air Force scored their only try through Yohan Perera, with Gayantha Iddamalgoda putting over the solitary penalty for the home team.
Meanwhile Kandy SC’s tries were scored by Sayuru Anthony, Kavindu Perera, Lavanga Perera, Jason Dissanayake, Sabeer Mohamed, Diluksha Dange and Srinath Sooriyabandara. Tharinda Ratwatte who was in sparkling form, converted six of them and put over a solitary penalty for the Up Country lads.
Referee Ishanka Abeykoon.
Havies edge out Army in a thriller
Havies commenced round two with a hard fought 45/42 win over the gutsy Solders at home under lights.
At the short breather it was the visitors who led 35/21.
Havies drew first blood through Umesh Madushan’s try but the visitors replied with two quick tries scored by Shehan Silva and Isuru Medagedera. The Park Club equalised through Keshan Kavinda try. As both teams dished out open running rugby, the score board was like a basketball game as once again Isuru Medagedera touched down his second try. But once again, the Park Club, refusing to be left behind, levelled through Vice-Captain of the outfit, Lasindu Ishan. Army went into a 14 points lead through a penalty try, plus Sudaraka Dikkumbura touching down his first game for them.
After the turnaround Umesh Madushan scored his second while former Isipathana lad Randy Silva and an on-form Azmeer Fajudeen touched down for the Park Club. Army took the lead through Thushitha Senanayake try, but for Havies skipper Mithun Hapugoda scored the winning Park Club try in the 77th minute of the encounter.
Referee Priyantha Gunaratne.
