CR enter final beating Airmen 22-6
by Ranjan ANANDAPPA
An effective second half rally by CR & FC helped them to beat Air
Force by 22 points (2 goals, 1 try and a penalty) to 6 (2 penalties) to
enter the final of the Clifford Cup in their semi-final match played at
Longden Place yesterday. The Airmen led at the breather scoring a
solitary penalty 3-0.
The Airman gave a fine display of hard tackling in the first half to
keep the 'red shirts' at bay. Air force sprang into the lead just before
the short whistle through a spectacular 45 meter kick by Arunashantha.
However, on resumption 'CR' found their fluency with their forwards
and the back division combining well and scored their first try Faizal
Marija made the break for Srinath Sooriyabandara to score under the
post. Riza Mubarak gave the extra points.
Fly half Sooriyabandara struck back in quick succession and touched
down for an unconverted try. Riza Mubarak put over a 40 m penalty and
extended the 'CR' lead.
Aruna Shantha fired over a penalty for the Airmen, but Dinesh Kumara
put the issue beyond doubt by crashing through for a try which Mubarak
made no mistake adding the extra points. With the competition hotting up
'CR's Ashen Karthelis and Airmen P. Kumara was involved in fisti cuffs
and was shown the yellow card. CR & FC will now meet the winners of
Kandy SC and CH & FC which will take place today at Nittawela. The
Clifford Cup final will be staged in Kandy next Saturday.
Aruna Rankothge refereed.
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