CR in resounding 32-3 win over Army

by Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: CR & FC making every attempt to oust Kandy Sports Club and regain the Caltex 'A' Division League Rugby Championship after several years, made their intentions clear when they beat Army by 32 points (2 goals, 3 tries, 1 penalty) to 3 (1 penalty) after leading 17-0 at half time at Havelock Park yesterday.

The Red Shirts should have scored more than the five tries they achieved last evening after enjoying a good territorial advantage and possession. However, luck seemed to have deserted them. Once early in the second session, right winger Dinesh Kumara had only to collect the ball and touch down, but failed to gather the ball. Zulki Hameed and Pavithra Fernando made their entry into the field mid way in the second session in attempts to penetrate Army's defence more often. They succeeded to an extent with three tries during this period.

Army looked as if lacked the basics. The outsides failed to run the ball when they did get possession with Kapila Knowlton the culprit. The forwards played hard but lacked finesse with Karunaratne as usual doing his best.

CR's centre Sheriff opened scoring in the seventh minute after selling a dummy 40-metres away to score under the posts and convert himself (CR 7-0). After Army's T. A. Silva fluffed a 30 metre penalty in the 23rd minute, Sheriff, obliged for CR nine minutes later with another 30-metre attempt from left. (CR 10-0).

Four minutes later CR's right winger Dinesh Kumara quickly collected the ball after Army's left winger failed to put his boot to it and make a sprint over 40 metres to score under the posts. Sheriff converted and CR took "lemons" at 17-0.

After the turn around, Army reduced the lead with a 20 metre Knowlton penalty in the 21st minute (Army 3-17). It took CR 27 minutes to penetrate Army's defence. First, full-back Ashen Costa scored far right off a short-tap, but Sheriff, missed the conversion (CR 22-3). Eight minutes later, CR, scored again off a five-metre scrum on the left flank which they won with No. 8 Navin Wijetunga going over. Sheriff failed with the conversion again (CR 27-3).

Just before the final whistle from referee Rankothge, the red shirt scored again with Ashen Costa join the outsides to touch down far right and Sheriff failed with the conversion once again (CR 32-3).

Today, defending champions Kandy take on Old Zahirians at Nittawela, while Havelocks take on Police at Havelock Park.