CR&FC continue their unbeaten run

 Kandy SC full back Danushka Dyan avoids a Police tackle

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR&FC 33 points

Army SC 10 points

CR&FC continued their unbeaten run in the league when they made a good comeback in the later half to beat Army Sports Club by 33/10 at Longdon Place last week-end.

Once again Reza Mubarak made a real difference between the two sides. His experience in touch kicks and kick at goal was an asset for the Longdon Place club. He put over four penalties for the Red Shirts in the initial half where the Soldiers replied with Manoj Bandara scoring the only try which was scored by Isuru Medagedera. Another Medadegera penalty reduced the gap to two points in favour of the home team.

After the turnaround, former Royal and nationals sevens player Janidu Dilshan scored the first CR try with Mubarak’s accurate kick at goal took the scores to 19/10. Two more CR tries by Supun Warunakulasuriya and Reza Rafaideen and accurate conversions by Mubarak took the scores to 33/10 favouring red Shirts who remained unbeaten in their four games played so far.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon

First win for CH & FC

CH&FC 23 points

Navy SC 21 points

CH&FC under Rohitha Rajapaksa fresh from his coaching success with the junior national outfit in China won their first league encounter when they edged out the Sailors 23/21 with a superb second half comeback by the CH.

Navy SC put over two penalties by former Kingswoodian Chathura Seneviratne while CH replied through Samuel Maduwantha’s equal number of kicks which equalised the scores at 6 a-piece. Navy SC’s Fijian Seru Cavuilati try and Isuru Kongahawatte try took the scores to 13/6 at the short breather favouring the Sailors.

Seru Cavuilati’s second try and Chathura Seneviratne’s penalty took navy further ahead at 21/6. A late afternoon nap and wake up by CH took them back in to the game through some good replacement and powerful moves which put the Navy defence all over the Park. Former national sevens skipper Sudarshana Muthuthanthri made a bold break for CH’s first try while Maduwantha accuracy took them further ahead in their score to 13/21.

The game went in to its last four minutes when Rohitha Rajapakse opted for a penalty by Samuel Maduwantha to reduce the gap further. In the injury time CH&FC Number 8 Chathura Dilshan scored the winning try to equalise the scores. Once again accuracy and Samuel Maduwantha were on the same side to take the CH&FC for their first win this season.

Referee Dilum Dheeshana

Unimpressive win for the Park Club

Havelock SC 13 points

Air Force SC 11 points

Havelock Sports Club continued their winning streak against Air Force by 13/11 in an unimpressive fashion after the scores were 3 apiece at the short breather.

Kandy remain unbeaten

Kandy SC 34 points

Police SC 13 points

Kandy Sports Club continued their winning form when they outclassed the Cops by 34/13 through some majority of some fine three-quarter play.

At the short breather Kandy led 17/3 and this was their first away game with another three more Colombo games in tandem on their way in early 2020.

Kandy dominated proceedings through some powerful three-quarter moves and opted to play through their speedy back row. Meanwhile the Cops opted to use their powerful moves which went into several phases but made some handling errors plus some good cover defence by Kandy kept them away from scoring freely. 

Kandy played minus Roshan Weeraratne, Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Yakoob Ali, Anurudha Wilwara and Thilina Wijesinghe all rested due to injury worries but had plenty of replacements.

Kandy opened scoring early in the fifth minute through Lasitha Attangoda. Tharinda Ratwatte taking over the kicking duties was accurate with the kick at goal. Police hit back through Yohan Peiris penalty. But there was no stopping in the speedy Kandy three-quarter line. Lavanga Perera try and conversion plus penalty by Tharinda Ratwatte took them to a clear 14 points lead at the short breather.

After the breather Kandy as usual all of a sudden went in to out of touch when they allowed Lahiru Pavithra to cross over for a try. Chandimal was off target. Former Trinity winger Diluksha Dange who had lightning speed scored their first second half try. 

Within the space of five minutes Dange scored his second try of the match to take the scores to 27/8. Police hit back through Suranga Kasun individual brilliance with chip and chase try. Chandimal was off target with the kick at goal plus missed a penalty as well.

There was no stopping the Kandy line when Buddhima Piyarathne scored a magnificent left corner try after covering nearly 40 m. Tharinda Ratwatte made a beautiful left corner flag conversion which looked a tough one. Kandy scored one more possible try through Dange through a cross kick collection but referee Isuru Perera did think it was knocked on.

Inter-Club League will give a one week break for the players who will celebrate Christmas and New Year. Action will recommence on 3 January 2020.