Police in stunning 41-22 win over CR and FC

By Sajeewa Jayakody

Police Sports Club came up with a stupendous performance to score a smashing 41 points (four goals, two tries, one penalty) to 22 (one goal, three tries) victory over more fancied CR and FC in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match played at Longden Place yesterday after leading 17-7 at the ‘breather’.

Police Sports Club’s scrum half Hashan Gomes is about to sling out a pass with team-mate Filimori Seru in support in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match against CR and FC played at Longden Place yesterday which Police won 41-22. Pix by Vipula Amarasinghe

CR and FC centre Robbie Malneek makes a break with a Police defender moving across to foil him in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League rugby match played at Longden Place yesterday which Police won by 41-22. Also in the picture is referee Norman Drakes of USA.

It was Fijian Apisai Naqaliva and former Havelocks and Sri Lanka centre Samantha Lakshan who played a major role, in the Police’s success yesterday.

They tore apart the CR defence with their powerful runs and the Red Shirts could not counter their onslaught.

It was Police who opened scoring in the 20th minute, when off a break by fly half Apisai Naqaliva. Centre Samantha Lakshan scored and added the extra points himself. Five minutes later, the Policemen went ahead further when off a second phase move winger Sudam Suriarachchi fell over for an unconverted try to make it 12-0.

The Red Shirts hit back when off a move begun in mid-field skipper Ashan de Costa sped over 30 metres to score mid-left. Kanchana Ramanayake made no mistake with the conversion and the score read 12-7. On the stroke of half time, a dropped pass by a CR player, saw Samantha Lakshan booting the ball and falling over on it in the in-goal area. Apisai Naqaliva added the extra points and Police went into ‘lemons’ with a 19-7 lead.

In the second minute of the second half, centre Samantha Lakshan pierced the CR defence to score near the posts and converted it himself. (Police 26-7).

Five minutes later, CR’s New Zealand centre Robbie Malneek crashed through for a try by the right corner flag. But Ramanayake missed the conversion. And the score read 26-12.

Three minutes later, Samantha Lakshan put over a 20-metre penalty. (Police 29-12).

Then off a superb three-quarter move, begun in mid-field, CR centre Kanchana Ramanayake scored by the left corner flag but failed to add extra points to make it 29-17. The off a five-metre scrum, Police skipper and scrum half, Hashan Gomes sneaked through for a try near the posts to give Samantha Lakshan an easy kick at goal. (Police 36-17).

The Red Shirts reduced the deficit when winger Hashan Maduranga put the finishing touches to a three-quarter move by scoring by the right corner flag. But Ramanayake failed to add the extra points and Police led 36-22.

Five minutes before the final whistle Police’s Fijian fly half Apisai Naqaliva who had a grand game, crashed through for an unconverted try to give Police a grand 41-22 win to the delight of their supporters. CR and FC paid dearly for their poor defence and lack of a place kicker.

Referee: Norman Drakes (USA)