CR and FC in superb 24-14 win over Army

By Ranjan Anandappa

In a match where fortunes fluctuated CR and FC scored a hard fought 24 points (two goals and two tries) to 14 ( two goals) win over Army in the Dialog 'A' division rugby league match played at Longden Place yesterday.

Army missed a good opportunity of opening the scoring ,but missed a penalty early in the match by Upali Wickremasinghe, but showed signs of attacking. The 'red shirts' opened scoring in the tenth minute when fly half Lafaele Vaa crashed through the soldiers defence to score an unconverted try. Army missed two more penalties within kicking range and were unable to forge ahead.

The soldiers after some daring advances in the CR and FC territory were able to break the shackles when Krishan Pushpakumara fell over and Samoan Kawokisaeto gave the extra points. Just before the breather and a steady shower 'CR' extended their lead through Dimithri Wijetunga who evaded several defenders to score and Reza Mubarak put over the conversion.

The winners led 12-7 at lemons.

The the rain that fell prior to the end of the first half made ball handling difficult for both sides when play was resumed. Both sides fought hard to to gain ascendancy but the ball was dropped by both parties at crucial stages.

However Army took the lead once again in the 25th minute after the short whistle when Jalebula Lalai bulldozed his way to score under the post and Upali Wickremasisnghe added the extra points. With the Army leading both sides fought tooth and nail to take the advantage in sodden conditions .

In the 33rd minute with the Army leading 14-12, CR and FC's Rimzi Jamaldeen got the vital move with a cross kick in the Army goal line on the left corner which Lasintha de Costa made a neat collection and scored Reza Mubarak made no mistake with the conversion. 19-14.

The final try for the 'red shirts' was scored by Janind Lakshan to make it 24-14.

Priyantha Gunaratne refereed.