CH in superb 24-6 win
Ranjeeva Seneviratne
CH and FC propelled by their power-packed forwards scored a superb 24
points (two goals, two tries) to 6 (two penalties) win over Sri Lanka
Army in the quarter-final of the Caltex Knock-out Rugby Tournament for
the Clifford Cup played at Longden Place yesterday after leading 7-3 at
the breather.
A heavy downpour early in the first half put paid to any chance of
open rugby as three quarters of both teams found difficulty in handling
the wet ball and the game turned out to be a forwards battle. The CH
forwards revelled in the wet conditions to outplay their counterparts.
Skipper Achala Perera was a source of inspiration to his team-mates
with his fiery loose play and was ably supported by Dilanka Wijesekera,
Sathya Ranatunge, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Sharo Fernando and Jayantha Ranaweera
as the CH 'eight' dominated in the loose.
CH and FC surged into the lead in the 8th minute when off a second
phase move prop forward Sathya Ranatunge crashed through for a try.
Sajith Bandara converted. Army reduced the deficit in the 12th minute
when centre Kapila Knowlton fired across a penalty and at 'lemons' CH
led 7-3.
In the 18th minute after resumption the soldiers reduced the lead
further when Knowlton fired across a 20 metre penalty (CH 7-6). Five
minutes later off a maul in the Army '25' CH scrum half Milinda
Jayasinghe slung out a pass to hooker Achala Perera who burst through to
fall over for an unconverted try, mid right (CH 12-6).
In the 35th minute of the second half CH put the issue beyond doubt
when they won a five metre scrum and fly half Sajith Mallikarachchi
powered his way to score mid right with a host of defenders clinging on
to him. Milinda Jayasinghe added the extra points and CH led 19-6.
Just before the final whistle off a second phase move in the Army 25
CH prop forward Jayantha Ranaweera sent out a pass to No. 8 Dilanka
Wijesekera who crossed the Army goal line and ran round to score under
the posts but Milinda Jayasinghe missed the easy conversion and CH ran
out worthy winners by 24 points to 6.
Referee: Aruna Rankothge. |
