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by Chris Dhambarage

Sri Lanka Police Sports Club produced another giant killing performance to beat the more fancied CR and FC outfit by 14 points to 12 points in an exciting Caltex Clifford Cup knock out rugby tournament match played at Longden Place yesterday.

Police SC who were trailing 3-6 at half time collected their points from one try and three penalties while CR and FC responded with four penalties. This was also the second win for Police SC against CR and FC in the current inter club season having earlier defeated the same opponents 12-9 in the Caltex 'A' Division League tournament.

This victory was even more significant as the Policemen also booked a place in the semifinal against the defending champions Kandy Sports Club. They rallied around through their forwards and delivered the final blow in a spectacular manner with prop forward Anura Fernando scoring their solitary try in the 15th minute of the second half.

CR and FC took the initiative with former Isipatana fly half and Sri Lanka Youth cap Roshan Peiris putting over two good penalties to give the home side a 6 nil lead mid way in the first half. In fact Roshan Peiris contributed all 12 points for CR and FC and also reduced the pressure to a certain extent with his booming kicks to touch.

However he missed an easy penalty from under the post during injury time and with that their chances of pulling off the game went astray. In contrast Police SC's place kicker Harshana Wijeweera stood firm while playing under pressure and made his presence felt while firing across three crucial penalties. The Police SC 'pack' put up a splendid performance and looked more solid with veteran prop forward Norman Silva making a welcome return to the side.

Even then the first half of the game turned out to be somewhat scrappy with both team reluctant to run the ball mainly due to the wet conditions. CR and FC opened scoring in the fourth minute of play with Roshan Peiris making good with a 30 metre penalty. He fired across another 35 metre penalty in the 19th minute to give his team a 6 nil lead.

Police came back in to the game and reduced the margin to 3-6 with fly half Harshana Wijeweera concerting a crucial 30 metre penalty shortly before half time. Wijeweera made it 6 all with his second penalty of the game few minutes after the short whistle as the home side succumbed under pressure. Police SC scored their solitary try during this period with prop forward Anura Fernando falling over mid left following a superb second phase move. Wijeweera failed with the conversion but Police SC led 11-6 at that stage.

CR and FC however staged another good comeback with Roshan Peiris converting two important penalties to give them the lead again 12-11. Then it was Wijeweera's turn to give Police SC the lead as he converted his third penalty of the match to register a thrilling victory at the end.

R. Navaratne refereed.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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