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| Sunday, 12 June 2005 |
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Sports |  |
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Army downs CH in scrappy affair by Lal Gunasekera In what could be described as a very scrappy affair, Army beat CH & FC by 30 points (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty, 1 drop goal) to 13 (2 tries, 1 penalty) in their Caltex 'A' division first-round League Rugby Championship game at Galle Face yesterday after leading 10-5 at half-time. The soldiers could have won by a bigger margin of points, but though they won, they just cannot be satisfied with their performance. This was their fourth win in six matches. They made mistakes at crucial stages with fly-half Kumara happy in kicking away possession. The outsides did not receive much ball and looked upon centre Kapila Knowlton too much. It was just a pathetic display by CH. They never looked as if they were ever in the game. The forwards were unfit to add to their miseries, there were far too many faulty handling. They tried to use the weight of their forwards to advantage, but failed. Right winger Duminda opened scoring for Army in the 12th minute after Knowlton had punted ahead. T. A. Silva converted and Army led 7-0. Five minutes later, Wijeweera, missed a 40-metre penalty for CH. In the 20th minute, T. A. Silva put over a simple penalty in front of the posts for Army to lead 10-0. Three minutes later, CH, reduced the lead through left winger Niroshan Ekanayake off a five-metre short-tap, but Wijeweera failed with the conversion (CH 5-10). Silva missed a 30-metre penalty for Army in the 36th minute. After the "turn around", Army's right winger Duminda put the finishing touches off a five-metre short-tap, but Silva failed with the conversion (Army 15-5). This was after Army's No. 8 Suranga had made a terrific break just two minutes earlier. Wijeweera reduced the lead for CH (8-15_ with a 22-metre penalty in the 16th minute, while six minutes later, Army, went further ahead through a 30-metre drop by fly-half Kumara. (Army 18-8). Eight minutes later, CH, reduced the lead through a try by left winger Ekanayake who slipped past the tackles of Army centres. Wijeweera failed with the conversion (CH 13-18). It looked as if it was going to be a close affair, but Army scored twice. In the 34th minute, full-back Silva formed the ever-lap for left winger Lankathilleke to score near the corner flag. Silva missed the conversion (Army 23-13). Then in injury time, they scored through right winger Duminda, who booted the ball for nearly 40 metres to fall over under the posts. Silva kicked correctly and Army won 30-13. Dilroy Fernando refereed. On Friday, CR & FC trounced Air Force by 56 points (3 goals, 7 tries) to nil at Longden Place. Today, Havelocks play hosts to Police at Havelock Park, while Kandy Sports Club takes on Navy at Nittawela. |
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