CR remain unbeaten with hard fought win over CH

By Lal Gunasekera

RUGBY: CR & FC continues to remain unbeaten in the current Caltex 'A' Division League Rugby Championship. Yesterday, they beat CH & FC, who lost their first game this season, by 19 points (1 goal, 4 penalties) to 13 (1 goal 2 penalties) after leading 6-3 at half time. Kandy Sports Club (the defending champions) are the other unbeaten side and their crunch game with the Red Shirts will be at Longden Place on July 1.

One side had to lose yesterday and it was CH. Both teams had opportunities of scoring. CH had numerous of those opportunities. Twice, centre Lasintha de Costa (one is each session) made tremendous runs, but on both occasions, was brought down just metres away from the CH "line".

Players from both sides were guilty of dropping the ball like hot potatoes at crucial moments. To add to CH's worries, their Fijian centre Jimmy Bolakoro was well marked and could not do much. It will be better for the game if reformers in future keep close tabs an players using a clenched fist for 'hand offs'. Bolakoro was guilty of this offence yesterday. Tempers too flared up in the second session and referee Aruna Rankothge after consultation Touch Judge Orville Fernando had to warn CH side. Even CR's centre Sheriff was sent into "Sin Bin" early in the first session.

After CR's hooker Senthil Kumar fluffed a 35-metre penalty in the sixth minute, he made amends four minutes later with a 30-metre attempt for the red shirts to lead 3-0. CH equalised in the 16th minute through a 25-metre penalty by Sajith Bandara, who put them ahead four minutes later with a 30-metre penalty for CH at lead 6-3 at half time.

On resumption, Sheriff, made the equaliser for CR in the sixth minute with a simple 10-metre penalty. Five minutes later, Lasintha de Costa, CR's centre, made a great run but was brought down near the right corner. Off the ensuing line-out, substitute flanker Henry fell over and Sheriff again obliged with the conversion (CR 13-6).

Sheriff put CR further ahead in the 18th minute with a 22-metre penalty (16-6), but 10 minutes later, they went further ahead with Sheriff putting over a 22-metre penalty (19-6). Sajith Bandara then fluffed a 30-metre penalty for CH in the 33rd minute, but in the injury time, CH, reduced the lead through a try by scrum-half Roy Nishantha off a ruck for Bandara to convert (CH 13-19).

Today, Havelocks play hosts to Kandy Sports Club at Havelock Park, while Old Zahirians take on Police at Longden Place. Both games will start at 4.30 p.m.