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| Sunday, 14 August 2005 |
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CR just manage to win by Lal Gunasekera Top contenders to grab the Caltex League Rugby title from Kandy Sports Club this season, CR & FC, just managed to beat Army by 17 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to 10 (1 goal, 1 penalty) after leading 17-7 at half time in their Cup Championship game at Longden Place yesterday. Cr won the first-round game 26-13. CR cannot be satisfied with their performance yesterday. They are not playing with the same amount of fluency they showed in the first-round games, though remaining unbeaten in their 12 games so far. If they continue in the same manner, I just cannot see them beating Kandy next Sunday (August 21) at Nittawela where the outcome of the League title will be decided. CR last won the League in 1998 under Champika Nishantha. The Soldiers have only themselves to blame. True they were minus some of their key players like H. Karunaratne and T. A. Silva their ace place-kicker, but it was surprising to see them kicking away possession and poor ball handling. CR's right winger Wegodapola put them ahead in the third minute with a try near the corner flag, but the conversion was missed by Sheriff, who was sent into Sin Bin in the 25th minute of the second session. Fifteen minutes later, Army, went into the lead from their own "40" with a splendid three-quarter move ending with left winger Perakum Fernando scoring under the posts. Kapila Knowlton converted (Army 7-5). Two minutes later, referee, Pradeep Fernando, awarded a penalty try for CR which was converted by Sheriff (CR 12-7). In the 33rd minute, CR's left winger Mushtaq scored, but Sheriff, missed adding the extra points again (CR 17-7). After the "turn around", both CR and Army tried their best to cross each others line, but failed until Duminda put over a simple 22 metre penalty for Army to close the gap at 10-17 in the 37th minute after Knowlton had fluffed a 30 metre penalty for Army four minutes earlier. Two minutes of silence was observed before the game as a mark of respect for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. Today, Havelocks play hosts to CH & FC at Havelock Park. |
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