CH in smashing win over Police

RANJEEVA SENEVIRATNE

The Colombo Hockey and Football Club began their campaign for the Caltex ‘A’ Division League Rugby title with a smashing 39 points (two goals, five tries) to 15 (one goal, one try, one drop goal) win over Sri Lanka Police in the curtain raiser of the tournament played at Maitland Crescent yesterday after leading 10-3 at the breather.

The Policeman opened scoring in the 23rd minute when skipper Harshana Wijeweera dropped a goal from 20 metres out. After fly half Sajith Mallikarachchi missed two penalties from within kicking range, CH snatched the lead in the 33rd minute when off a five metre scrum Sathya Ranatunge broke away and crashed through for a try mid right. Milinda Jayasinghe missed the conversion.

On the stroke of half time, CH and FC increased their lead when off a second phase move, CH centre Rushika Fernando scored by the corner flag. Milinda Jayasinghe missed the conversion and CH led 10-3 at ‘lemons’.

Winning an abundance of possession from the set scrums and line outs, CH ran the ball at every opportunity in the second half to pile up 29 more points. In the 6th minute after resumption off a second phase move, CH lock forward Dinesh Sanjeewa powered his way to fall over for an unconverted try mid right to make it 15-3.

Three minutes later off a move begun in mid field No. 8 Dilanka Wijesekera ran 20 metres and slipped out a pass to winger Lakala Perera who crashed through for a try by the right corner flag. Sajith Bandara missed the conversion and CH and FC led 20-3.

In the 17th minute of the second half off a second phase move, CH set their three quarters in motion and winger Lakala Perera crossed the Police goal line and ran round to score under the posts to give Sajith Bandara an easy kick at goal. (CH 27-3).

Eight minutes later off a move begun in mid field, CH winger Sajith Bandara sped over 50 metres to score a superb try and added the extra points himself to make it 34-3. In the 30th minute of the second half the Policemen reduced the deficit when off a five metre scrum, flanker Mohamed Izzadeen crashed through for a try under the posts and Harshana Wijeweera converted. (CH 34-10).

Five minutes later CH prop forward Sathya Ranatunge powered his way off a line out to fall over by the right corner flag for an unconverted try to make it 39-10.

In the dying stages of the game, Police flanker Mohamed Izzadeen scored by the right corner flag and Harshana Wijeweera missed the conversion and CH ran out worthy winners by 39 points to 15.

Referee: Aruna Rankothge.