CH in unimpressive 19-0 win over Air Force

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

RUGBY: CH and FC scored an unimpressive 19 points (two goals, one try) to nil win over a gallant Air Force outfit in the curtain raiser of the Caltex ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament played at Maitland Crescent yesterday after leading 5-0 at ‘Lemons’.

The Air Force forwards especially Saumya Silva, Kosala Ranasinghe, Soysa, Kodagoda, Vitharana and skipper Kurukulasuriya came up with a terrific display to match up to the famed CH ‘eight’ in the loose.

However the lads from Maitland Crescent won a major share of possession with Sri Lanka hooker Achala Perera striking a shade faster than his vis-a-vis Vitharana in the set scrums and the trio of Sanjeewa, Senarath and Malewana holding sway in the line outs.

But the CH three quarters could not make much headway as they were at the receiving end of some fierce tackling by their counterparts.

Sturdily built Fijian centre Jimmy Bolakoro of whom much was expected was a marked man yesterday. He was ‘nailed’ time and again by his opposite numbers Ruchira Fernando and Charith Senevirante who brought off some bone crunching tackles.

CH missed a chance of taking the lead in the 21st minute when fly half Sajith Bandara missed a 30 metre penalty.

The Airmen almost scored in the 33rd minute when off a superb three quarter move begun in mid field winger Gayan Heenkende dived over by the right corner flag but unfortunately the ball slipped out of his hands in the process of touching down.

Just before the breather CH surged into lead when off a second phase move fly half Bandara slung out a pass to winger Niroshan Ekanayake who fell over for an unconverted try by the left corner flag and CH led 5-0 at lemons.

In the 11th minute of the second half CH increased their lead when winger Niroshan Ekanayake sped over 20 metres to score by the left corner flag off a second phase move.

Sajith Bandara made a spectacular conversion to make it 12-0.

Nineteen minutes later CH won a line out in the Air Force 25 and set the three quarters in motion and winger Lakala Perera crashed through to touch down mid left. Bandara failed to add the extra points.

In the dying stages of the game Air Force missed a chance of reducing the deficit when fly half Nalin Sirisena fluffed a 30 metre penalty.

Referee: Nizam Jamaldeen.