CR score splendid 18-0 win
 

by Lal Gunesekera

It was great rugby at Longdon Place yesterday with CR & FC emerging on top by 18 points (1 goal, 1 try, 2 penalties) to nil over CH & FC after leading 7-0 at half time in their Caltex (A 1) League Rugby Championship game.

CR made all the attacking moves, but were unsuccessful in their attempts (except on two occasions) to penetrate CH's defence which was rock solid. The red shirts won plenty of possession through their forwards and the outsides did try run the ball, but their opponents kept a close vigil.

CH did very well to halt move after move of CR with a great defence, but it was sad to see their new recruit from Kandy Sports Club, Radhika Hettiaratchi on the left wing being starved of possession.

Towards the latter stages of the game, CH, seemed to lose their temper with replacement flanker Asanga Thalagaratchi sent to Sin Bin for throwing his fists around.

CR's flanker Karthelis scored the first try for his team in the 44th minute of the first half after centre Sheriff made a daring break, and converted himself (CR 7-0).

Came the second session and Sheriff made a superb 50 metre conversion from a penalty in the 10th minute for CR to lead 10-0. Again, Sheriff, was in the spotlight with another near 50 metre penalty for CR to lead 13-0. Five minutes into injury time, CR, scored again through right winger Dinesh Kumara who booted the ball to score mid right, but Sheriff missed the conversion (CR 18-0).

Nizam Jamaldeen refereed.

Terrance Perera (93), who has been a member of the CR & FC, for the past 75 years, was the chief guest and was introduced to the two sides before the game.