Bilal's last minute try gives Navy victory

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

A spectacular last minute try by number 8 Bilal Hassan helped Navy to find a place in the semi final of the Caltex Clifford Cup knock-out competition when they defeated Police by 15 points (1 goal, 1 try and a penalty) to 12 (4 penalties) in a quarter final match played at the Royal College Sports Complex grounds yesterday.

The sailors who were trailing 8-12 till the last minute of the match desperately tried to forge ahead and finally succeeded when a Navy player kicked to touch to gain the territorial advantage and the sailors winning the ensuing line out launched their attack. A penalty was awarded to the Navy when a Police player was penalised and the sailors taking the short tap saw Bilala Hassan crashing through the Police defence to score under the post. The extra points were added by Eranga Weerrakkody and the Navy emerged victorious to meet Havelocks in the semi final.

During the initial stages, the match was drifting listlessly with Navy still playing the dominant role. The sailors attacked but were unable to pierce the police defence.

Police scored all their points through the boot of Harshana Wijeweera who kicked four times bisecting the horizontal bar.

Navy opened scoring through a try scored by Chula Susantha off a three quarter move ,but Eranda Weerakkody could not give them the much needed extra points.

The scores were on par at the breather 6-6.

Police gave an impressive display after the turn around and made several inroads to the Navy territory, but sound tackling by the sailors kept the Policemen at bay. Both teams were engaged in a compelling battle of supremacy to find a place in the semi final line up. Till the last minute of the game Police was leading 12-8 ,but Hassan's last minute effort saw Navy through to the semi final.Referee: Pradeep Fernando.