CR and FC in 24-6 win over Army

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

CR and FC which suffered a 3-18 defeat at the hands of Navy last week scored a morale-boosting 24 points (three goals, one penalty) to 6 (two penalties) win over the Sri Lanka Army in their Caltex 'A' Division League rugby match played at Longden Place yesterday after leading 10-0 at the breather. The 'Red Shirts' had a major share of possession with hooker Anuja Perera getting the better of his vis-a-vis Asoka Jayalal in the set scrums while in the line outs the CR duo of Karthelis and Lewke had the edge over Army's Ajit Susantha and A.D. Perera but their three quarters could not make much headway with their centres Lasintha de Costa and Nuwan Chamara being brought down time and again by their opposite numbers Sampath Wijesuriya and Asanka Perera with some fierce tackling.

CR and FC opened scoring in the 28th minute of the first half when winger Dinesh Kumara picked up a loose ball and dashed through 20 metres to score by the left corner flag.

Reza Mubarak made a splendid conversion and seven minutes later he fired across a 25-metre penalty to give the 'Red Shirts' a 10-nil lead at 'lemons'.

In the fourth minute after resumption Army reduced the deficit when Kapila Knowlton put over a 40-metre penalty. Fifteen minutes later off a second phase move CR fly half Ashan de Costa scored by the right corner flag and Reza Mubarak added the extra points with a superb kick and CR led 17-3. In the 27th minute the soldiers reduced the deficit when Upul Kumara made no mistake with a 20-metre penalty.

In the dying stages of the game the 'Red Shirts' increased their lead when skipper Ashen Karthelis crashed through for a try by the right corner flag. Reza Mubarak made a spectacular conversion to give CR and FC a 24-6 win.

Referee: Aruna Rankothge.