CR and FC in hard fought win over Air Force
CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
CR and FC launched their campaign for the Caltex �A� division league
title with a hard fought 26 points to nil victory over Sri Lanka Air
Force Sports Club in their SLRFU inter club first round rugby encounter
worked off at Ratmalana yesterday.
The lads from Longden Place recovered well following a shaky start
and went on to seal the game while collecting their points from three
goals and one try after having built up a close seven nil lead at half
time.
Even then CR and FC were made to work hard for their four tries and
looked rather disorganized while making their first appearance of the
tournament. Not that they were under pressure at any stage of the game
but the fact was they just could not capitalize on their opponents
mistakes.
CR and FC would have certainly had hopes of pulling off the game by a
much bigger margin but their plans were shattered due to some excellent
spoiling work by the Airmen. In fact the home side were able to keep
their goal line uncrossed almost until half time before Ashan Karthelis
eventually broke the deadlock two minutes from the short whistle.
The dynamic second row forward decided to join the line after a
terrific loose maul and another successful line out before falling over
under the post. Scrum half Suriyabandara added the extra points and CR
and FC led seven nil at half time.
The visitors continued with the same pattern of play in the second
half too where they preferred to launch their attacks through the
forwards. However their game plan became almost predictable sometimes
that the Airmen were able to counter attack even from their own
territory.
However CR and FC were never in danger of conceding a try because the
Air Force three quarters wasted a lot of good ball through some aimless
kicking.
Instead of finding touch for territorial advantage they simply
repeated the same mistake thus losing valuable possession at vital
stages of the game.
CR and FC increased their lead while scoring their second try in the
15th minute of the second half. This time it was centre Chamara
Vithanage who pierced through the Air Force SC defence to touch down
under the post.
The try was a result of a series of sweeping three quarter moves
where the back division held their nerves together before scoring under
tremendous pressure. Full back Dev Anand added the extra points and CR
and FC were well on their way to a convincing victory.
However their hopes of launching a final assault in search of a big
victory was completely shattered with the Airmen putting up a solid
defence during the last ten minutes of play. As a result CR and FC
managed to score just a couple of tries through Ashan de Costa and prop
forward Terrence Henrey with Dave Anand converting the third try.
Referee: Pradeep Fernando. |
