CR in smashing 43-8 win over Army

RANJEEVA SENEVIRATNE

CR and FC propelled by their power-packed forwards scored a smashing 43 points (five goals, one try, one drop goal) to 8 (one try, one penalty) win over Sri Lanka Army in their Caltex 'A' division league rugby match played at Police Park yesterday after leading 21-8 at the breather.

It was CR's forwards who paved the way for this victory. No. 8 Dushanth Lewke was a source of inspiration to his team-mates with his fiery loose play. He was ably supported by Danushka Perera, Ishan Noor, Danushka Boteju, Henry Terrance, Anuja Perera and skipper Ashen Karthelis as the CR 'eight' outplayed their counterparts in the loose.

The Red Shirts also won a major share of possession in the set scrums with Anuja Perera getting the better of his vis-a-vis Asoka Jayalal while the line outs were shared between the CR duo of Noor and Karthelis and Army's Sarath and Susantha.

The Soldiers surged into the lead in the 14th minute when full back Kapila Knowlton fired across a 35 metre penalty.

Two minutes later the Red Shirts snatched the lead when flanker Danushka Perera followed a high kick by fly half Dev Anand, collected the ball and scored under the posts. Dev Anand added the extra points.

In the 18th minute the soldiers took the lead when winger Saliya Handapangoda put the finishing touches to a three quarter move in the CR '25' by diving over for an unconverted try mid right. (Army 8-7).

Ten minutes later off a 15 metre line out CR prop forward Danushka Boteju broke away and powered his way to touch down under the posts. Dev Anand converted to make it 14-8. In the 34th minute off a 10 metre line out CR prop forward Henry Terrance barged through to touch down by the right corner flag. Dev Anand made a splendid conversion and CR led 21-8 at 'lemons'.

In the 13th minute after resumption the Red Shirts increased their lead when off a second phase move CR winger Nuwan Chamara dived over by the left corner flag for an unconverted try (CR 26-8).

Ten minutes later off another second phase move, CR skipper and lock forward Ashen Karthelis crashed through for a try under the posts. Dev Anand added the extra points to make it 33-8. In the 36th minute, CR fly half Dev Anand dropped a peach of a goal from 25 metres out (CR 36-8).

Two minutes later, CR fly half Dev Anand who had a grand game made a cross kick for centre Chamara Vithanage to collect and score by the right corner flag. Dev Anand made a spectacular conversion and CR ran out worthy winners by 43 points to 8.

Referee: Nizam Jamaldeen.