CH beat CR to enter K/O final

CH and FC created a major sensation when they edged out the Caltex 'A' division league runners up CR and FC by six points to three points in the Clifford Cup knock out rugby tournament second semifinal match played at Havelock Park yesterday.

CH and FC collected their points from two penalties after the scores were level three all at half time and set up a final showdown with the reigning league champions Kandy Sports Club on Sunday at the Nittawela Stadium in Kandy. CR and FC managed to put over just a solitary penalty.

CH and FC always looked the better side and played a real hard game with their forwards combining well with the three quarters. They made less mistakes than their more fancied opponents and created a number of scoring opportunities. But unfortunately they just could not add the finishing touches having kept play in their opponents territory for most of the time.

CR and FC too had their chances but they were always under pressure. They looked as if they had not really recovered from the close defeat at the hands of Kandy SC in the league deciding match played at Nittawela a couple of weeks ago.

They of course had a more comprehensive victory in the quarterfinals against Police and were hoping to pull off this game quite convincingly. But it was during the latter stages that they really realised that they had to lift their game to win the match and by that time it was too late as CH and FC had already done the damage. In fact CR and FC fell inches short of scoring at least on two occasions during the last five minutes of play. But CH and FC held on determinedly and counter attacked that helped them to pull off a thrilling victory at the end.

CR and FC opened scoring in the 24th minute of play when Dhanushka Pushpakumara fired across a good penalty from 30 metres out. Pushpakumara however was forced to leave the field in the second half and his replacement Sherifdeen missed a crucial penalty from kicking range.

CH and FC hit back almost immediately with a superb forwards move earning a penalty which was converted by Nalin Dissanayake shortly before half time. CH and FC were rewarded once again for their hard work with another penalty few minutes before the end and Nalin Dissanayake responded magnificently to turn the game in their favour.

Referee: Anil Jayasinghe.

(C.D).