Policemen in shock 23- 21 win over Navy

Thushan Jayasuriya

A stunning performance by Sri Lanka Police saw them outplay the formidable Sri Lanka Navy by 23 points ( two goals, three penalties) to 21 ( one goal, one try, two penalties and a drop goal ) in the quarter final of the Dialog Knock Out Tournament for the Clifford Cup 2012 played at Havelock Park yesterday after trailing by 13 - 15 at halftime.

The Policemen scored their first try through Scrum Half Hashan Gomes while their Full Back Royal schoolboy Damien Ratwatte made the conversion( Police 7 - 0 ).

Navy entered the battle when Centre Ratu Taniela dropped a goal in the 11th minute.

Police Number Eight Batiratu William put over two penalties adding six more points for Police to take a 13 - 3 lead.The Sailors scored a goal thanks to a try by Navy's Centre Votu Watisoni which was successfully converted by Taniela. (Navy 10 - 13). Navy snatched the lead through a try scored by Winger M.E.R.C.Silva who booted the ball chased it and collected to score under the post with the conversion being missed by Taniela and the Sailors led 15 - 13 at lemons.

Navy went ahead further through a penalty put over by Ratu Taniela which helped them to increase their lead by another three points (Navy 18 - 13).

But they couldn't continue the same momentum as the talented Police Full Back Damien Ratwatte sliced through the Navy defence to score by the corner flag with Batiratu William making a spectacular conversion and the Policemen grabbed the lead ( 20 - 18 ). The Sailors once again turned the match towards them when Ratu Taniela fired across his second penalty making it 21 - 20. But, the brave Policemen fought back and earned the penalty which was fired across by Batiratu William to the joy of his teammates to give Police a grand 23 - 21 win and enter the semifinals where they will meet Kandy SC on October 3 Wednesday at Bogambara.

Pradeep Fernando referred.