Navy in runaway 64-24 win over Police

By Ranjan Anandappa

Navy torpedoed a hapless looking Police outfit to the tune of 64 points (seven goals, three tries) to 24 (two goals, two tries) win in a Dialog ‘A’ division League rugby encounter at Police Park yesterday.

The rugby encounter between the two law enforcement officers went heavily in favour of the sailors after a bit of an early promise by the Policemen.

The home team started off well with Heshan Gunaratne touched down for the equaliser after Navy drawing first blood when skipper Yositha Rajapaksa crashed through the police defence to score. Riza Muibarak added the extra points. For the home team Samantha Lakshan made a conversion.

With both sides scoring a goal each the game looked on even keel. In the fourteenth minute of the game the sailors began their scoring spree when Dinusha Chaturanga pierced the opponents defence to fall on to an unconverted try.

With the sailors getting their act together Police’s chances of survival looked slim. They could not cope to the speed of the sailors who most of the time scored unchallenged.

Their skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa put up several openings for the side which was successfully given the finishing touches.

With the Police lacking in their game plan and lack of cohesive play the star studded sailors assumed command in no uncertain terms.

They went on to plant seven tries in the first half through their power play which the policemen were really at sea.

Dinusha Chaturanga scored thrice in the first half while Joel Muthumalagi and Stefano crossed the police line to give them a 38 points to 12 lead at the half way mark. Riza Mubarak helped them to swell their lead with his reliable kicking.

Police scored their second try when Samantha Lakshan picked up a loose ball and went on to score an unconverted try. The sailors went on to consolidate their strong position on resumption and continued their same pattern of play.

The home team was unable to produce any constructive move with the sailors forming a water tight defence. The sailors played exceptionally well in attack and defence, and any move by the police was quickly spoilt by the sailors speedy and robust style of play.

Srinath Sooriyabandara opened scoring in the second half when he deceived several opponents and touched down. Then Joel Luthu Malaga the Fijian, and Dulanjan Wijesinghe cut through the fragile Police defence to score.

There after Stefano increased the lead which was already reaching out of proportion . Police did well to score twice through Samantha Lakshan and Prsad Madusanka before the end of the match after Romesh Achirige opened scoring in the first half.

Referee: D. Nimal