CR and FC in grand 43-20 win over CH

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

A highly productive second half rally by CR and FC helped them to beat CH and FC by 43 points (5 goals,one try, one penalty) to 20 (1 goal, 2 tries, 1 penalty) in their Dialog ‘A’ Division Rugby League match played at Longden Place yesterday. Both teams lacked the brand of rugby which the handful of spectators expected and the match was drifting aimlessly at times.

After the scores were 10-10 at half time the ‘Red Shirts’ suddenly found their fluency when they scored four tries within the space of eleven minutes. For the winners Misa Sautia was the play-maker who initiated most of the moves and ‘CR’ from 10-10 moved up to 36-15 making things difficult for CH and FC to catch up.

After two penalties were put over by Mushin Faleel for the Longden Place club in the ninth minute and followed by the equaliser by CH and FC winger Nalin Kumara, CH struck again through their number 8 Brian Vithumapu to take the lead 10-3 with Nalin Kumara giving the extra points.

A fine bit of work by CR and FC’s centre Misa Sautia who dummied and deceived his opponents pierced his way to score. Mushin Faleel made no mistake with the kick. CR and FC produced something spectacular in the second half as they went on to plant as many as four tries of which three were converted in a short burst. In the second minute after the ‘Lemons’ Mira Sautia carved through off a scrum, then Dilshan Kelaniyagoda and flanker Dushan Honnanthara struck in succession. Mushin Faleel put over the conversions.

CH and FC reduced the lead when Alex Samoa touched down for an unconverted try and Misa Sautia scored for the winners almost with the final whistle. Referee: Pradeep Fernando.