Army in sensational 24-7 win over Air Force
Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE
RUGBY: The Sri Lanka Army came up with a stupendous performance to
score a smashing 24 points (three goals, one penalty) to 7 (one goal)
win over Sri Lanka Air Force in their Caltex ‘A’ Division league rugby
match played at Havelock Park yesterday. The scores stood at 7-all at
the breather. It was Army’s first win for the season.
It was Army’s forwards who paved the way for this victory. Skipper
Nushal Meepage was a source of inspiration to his team-mates with his
fiery loose play with Kotalawala, Susantha, Ratnayake, Kobbekaduwa,
Manoj Silva and Karunaratne (who made his entry in the second half)
giving a terrific display the Army ‘eight’ completely outplayed their
counterparts in the loose.
The set scrums were shared between Army’s hooker Jayalal and Air
Force’s Vithanage while in the line outs the Army duo of Susantha and
Ratnayake had the edge over Air Force’s Bandara and Kurukulasuriya.
Whenever they won possession Air Force’s three-quarters could not
make much headway with centres Rushika Fernando and Charith Seneviratne
being at the receiving end of some fierce tackling by their opposite
numbers Asanga Perera and Suranga Pilimatalawa.
The Airmen opened scoring in the 12th minute of the first half when
off a second phase move they set their three-quarters in motion and
centre Charith Seneviratne crashed through to touch down mid left. Nalin
Sirisena converted to make it 7-0.
Twelve minutes later off a second phase move in the Air Force ‘25’
Army’s fly half W.A.U.C. Kumara dummied his way to score mid left. Pull
back Kapila Knowlton made a splendid conversion to make it 7-all.
On the stroke of half time Air Force’s Charith Seneviratne missed a
sitter of a penalty from 25 metres out and at ‘lemons’ the scores read
7-all.
In the 6th minute after resumption Air Force full back Rohan Fernando
failed to collect a high kick and Army’s winger Duminda Wickremaratne
who followed it collected the ball and dashed through to touch down
under the posts.
Kapila Knowlton added the extra points (Army 14-7). In the 20th
minute of the second half Army’s substitute full back Anton John fired
across a 25 metre penalty.
Two minutes before the final whistle the soldiers put he issue beyond
doubt when off a second phase move in the Air Force ‘25’ the soldiers
set their three-quarters in motion and winger Duminda Wickremaratne put
the finishing touches to the move by diving over by the left corner
flag.
Substitute full back Anton John made a spectacular conversion and
Army ran out worthy winners by 24 points to 7.
Referee: Nizam Jamaldeen. |