Danushka CR's hero
 

BY CHRIS Dhambarage

DYNAMIC full back Danushka Pushpakumara produced an outstanding performance to spearhead CR and FC to their second straight victory overcoming Sri Lanka Army Sports Club by 26 points to 13 points in their Caltex inter club 'A' division league first round rugby match played at Galle Face yesterday.

Pushpakumara the former schoolboy of Vidyartha College Kandy contributed a total of sixteen points for CR and FC who emerged victorious by a convincing margin while collecting their points from one goal, two tries and three penalties. Sri Lanka Army SC who were trailing 6-18 at half time managed only a goal and two penalties.

Pushpakumara playing in his first full season for the Longden Place club inspired his team through some superb three quarter moves while forming the overlap on many occasions.

He certainly played an important role in their success as he scored a try, put over tree penalties and also added the extra points on one occasion. Pushpakumara in fact opened scoring for CR and FC in the fifth minute of play when he put over an easy 25 metre penalty.

This was after they had invaded the Army SC territory with a series of sweeping three quarter moves and with the forwards backing up well. CR and FC launched a fierce assault from thereonwards and succeeded in scoring their first try in the tenth minute of play.

This move was initiated in mid field when fly half Asanga Rodrigo set the three quarters in motion with a beautiful dummy pass. In the ensuing line out CR and FC won possession and set up another three quarter move which saw flanker Anuranga Walpola crash through to touch down near the corner flag. Pushpakumara missed the conversion.

CR and FC scored again few minutes later when centre M. J. Mushtaq added the finishing touches to a superb three quarter move with Pushpakumara adding the extra points. Pushpakumara himself scored their third try almost in a similar manner and later put over a penalty as CR and FC opened out a 18 nil gap after just 22 minutes of play.

Army SC staged a brief recovery shortly before half time with full back T. A. Silva putting over two penalties in the space of a couple of minutes.

But their chances of challenging the CR and FC in the second half was completely shattered with captain Pavithra Fernando going over for a classic try from a line out. Pushpakumara who earlier fired a 25 metre penalty failed with the conversion.

Army SC had the consolation of crossing the CR and FC defence at last in the 35th minute when second row forward Nishantha Jayasuriya went over for a push over try. T. A. Silva added the extra points.

Referee: T. Rankothge.

Sailors win 20-3

Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club defeated Old Zahirians SC by 20 points to 3 points in their Caltex inter club 'A' division league rugby tournament first round match played at Longden Place yesterday.

The winners collected their points from one goal, two tries and one penalty while Old Zahirians SC managed to put over only a solitary penalty.