Navy remain unbeaten with smashing 33-8 win

Navy Sports Club recorded a smashing 33 points (four goals, one try) to 8 (one try, one penalty) win over Up Country Lions in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby encounter played at Navy grounds, Welisara yesterday after leading 14-8 at half time.

Navy, the only unbeaten team this season, opened scoring through a second phase move from the corner flag by scrum half Saliya Handapangoda in the fifth minute, which was converted by Nuwan Hettiarachchi.

Five minutes later, Navy increased the lead when winger Dinusha Fernando scored the second try, with Nuwan Hettiarachchi making a splendid conversion and Navy led 14-0.

Up Country Lions opened their account in the 22nd minute through a try by full back Srinath Sooriyabandara. Lions missed a golden opportunity of adding the extra points as they missed the conversion. Navy 14-5.

The visitors reduced the deficit when fly half Nigel Ratwatte fired across a penalty and the Sailors led 14-8 at the breather.

In the fourth minute of the second half, Navy’s centre Kafatolu Mateaki made a break and ran round to score under the post to give Nuwan Hettiarachchi an easy kick at goal to make it 21-8.

In the 12th minute of the second half, Navy’s Number Eight Joeli Lutumailagi sped over 50 metres to fall over by the left corner flag for an unconverted try.

Five minutes before the final whistle, Navy’s Number Eight Joeli Lutumailagi scored by the corner flag with Nuwan Hettiarachchi making spectacular conversion to give Navy a resounding 33-8 win to the joy of their supporters.

Navy’s Number Eight Joeli Lutumailagi makes a break after evading a tackle by an Up Country Lions player in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match played at Welisara yesterday, which Navy won 33-8. Pic Susantha Wijegunasekera.

Navy’s centre Kafatolu Mateaki on his way to score a try with an Up Country Lions player making a vein attempt to foil him. Pic Susantha Wijegunasekera