The Sailors registered yet another victory in the Dialog Rugby league as they showcased a strong second half to seal victory by 28 points to 10 against Army SC at Havelock Park this evening.
The Sailors kicked off proceedings under the scorching sun earlier this evening and dominated possession in the first quarter but failed to convert it to points until the experienced Thilina Weerasinghe drew first blood through a try and conversion which he successfully kicked from an acute angle to put his team in the lead. (Navy 7 – Army 0)
Second quarter saw the gutsy Soldiers coming into the match with vengeance. Skipper and Full back Gayan Salinda opened the scoring for Army with an easy penalty under the post. It was followed up by a brilliant try by Sameera Bulathsinghala who got the offload from Sudaraka Dikkumbura after he made some good yards in the corner. The extras were added by Gayan to get the lead for Army. (Navy 7 – Army 10)
Army kept on the pressure and they managed to go deep into the Navy half, but failed to find a way through. At the other end Navy pulled off a team try using their big forwards to get back the lead. Thilina Weerasinghe once again finding touch deep inside the Army half created the opening for Navy. It was Stephan Gregory who touched down right next to the post which made life easy for Thilina to add the extras.
Half Time: Navy SC 14(2T, 2C) – Army SC 10(1T, 1C, 1P)
Army added their reinforcements a few minutes into the second half, but they couldn’t find a way to penetrate the defense of the Sailors. They managed to keep possession inside their attacking half for a long time but the sailors showed great desperation in defense which saw them hold off the attack from Army.
However, Navy extended their lead with a converted try by Charith Silva. This was the first time they got to the attacking half after the break and they made it count to take the game away from Army. Once again they used their ball carriers to push deep inside the Army half and the tired legs of theSoldiers paved way for Charith to jump over. (Navy 21 – Army 10)
Army tried their level best to make a comeback into the game but the Sailors showed desperation and hunger to hold on to their lead. Navy were tested when they lost Adeesha Weeratunge after being shown a yellow card but they did not put their guard down to allow an opening for their opponent.
In the dying moments of the game, Thilina Weerasinghe put the final nail in the coffin with his second try of the game to see off another comfortable win for Navy.
Full Time: Navy SC 28(4T, 4C) – Army SC 10(1T, 1C, 1P)
ThePapare.com’s Man of the Match: Thilina Weerasinghe(Navy SC)
Breakdown
Navy SC: Tries by Thilina Weerasinghe(2), Charith Silva, Stephan Gregory & Thilina Weerasinghe conversions(4)
Army SC: Try from Sameera Bulathsinghala & Gayan Salinda conversion and Penalty
