Harshana Wijeweera the hero as Police beat Air Force - 32/27

A superb display of place kicking by centre Harshana Wijeweera helped Sri Lanka Police to beat Air Force Sports Club by 32 points (two goals, six penalties) to 27 (one goal, four tries) in their Caltex ‘A’ division league rugby match played at Police Park yesterday after leading 16-12 at the breather.

Air Force opened scoring early in the first half through an unconverted try by fly half Chanaka Chandimal but the Policemen hit back through a 25 metre penalty by centre Harshana Wijeweera.

The Airmen increased the lead when full back Uthpala Edirisinghe scored mid left and Chanaka Chandimal added the extra points (Air Force 12-3). The Policemen reduced the deficit when fly half Anjula Wijeratne crashed through for a try under the posts and Wijeweera added the extra points to make it (12-10).

Police fly half Harshana Wijeweera then fired across two penalties from 40 and 45 metres respectively to give the Policemen a 16-12 lead at the breather. After resumption the Airmen dominated play and scored three splendid tries through fly half Chanaka Chandimal, winger Viswajith Wijesinghe and winger Mithun Hapugoda with Chandimal failing to convert a single try.

The Policemen were kept in the game by Harshana Wijeweera who put over three more penalties and the score read 27-25 in favour of Air Force six minutes before the final whistle. But the Policemen came back storming and lock forward Asanga Dias crashed through for a try by the corner flag and Wijeweera made a splendid conversion and Police ran out winners by 32 points to 27.

Referee: D. Nimal.