CR three-quarters dazzle to beat Police 22-12

by Sajeewa Jayakody

CR and FC, inspired by a dazzling display by their three-quarters, scored an impressive 22 points (two goals, one try, one penalty) to 12 (one goal, one try) win over a gallant Police Sports Club outfit in their Dialog A Division League rugby match played at Police Park yesterday after leading 14-12 at the breather.

A CR and FC player breaks through the Police defence. Pic. Susantha Wijegunasekera

The first half was on even keel as the Policemen gave a fine display in defence by containing their opponents with some fierce tackling.

It was the Policemen, who opened scoring when Number Eight Bilal Hassen powered his way to touch down by the corner flag.

Fullback Reza Mubarak made a spectacular conversion and Police led 7-nil in the first 15 minutes. Ten minutes later, the Red Shirts hit back, when centre Kanchana Ramanayake sliced through the Police defence to score under the post and added the extra points himself.

In the 30th minute, Police number Eight Bilal Hassen scored mid-left off a forwards rush. Reza Mubarak missed the conversion and Police led 12-7. Just before ‘lemons’, CR scrum half Kavindu de Costa scampered through to score near the post. Kanchana Ramanayake made no mistake with the conversion.

As the ‘Red Shirts’ snatched the lead at half time (14-12), the second half was dominated by the Longden Place club to score their third try when Number Eight Arun Kumar barged through to touch down off a ruck by the corner flag. Kanchana Ramanayake missed the conversion and CR led 19-12.

A few minutes later, the visitors’ place kicker missed a 40-metre penalty but he made amends a few minutes later, when he put over an easy 20-metre penalty as the Red Shirts led 22-12. In the dying stages of the game, the Policemen made an all-out attack on the CR goalline. But they failed to penetrate the CR defence and the visitors ran out winners by 22 points to 12.

Referee: Dinka Peiris