CH & FC’s push for second spot gained momentum as they managed a hard fought 28-12 win against Air Force at Racecourse in week 10 of the Dialog Club Rugby League.
CH coach Tulagesi Tavita ‘Laga’ rung the changes, making 5, with in-form Fullback Avantha Lee and Sajith Saranga dropping out of the match day 23 and a different Locking combination strengthening the scrum.
Meanwhile for Air Force, Charith Senevirathne returned as the familiar face of Leonard De Zilva took charge of the Visitors.
The new coach brought about an attacking brand of rugby as the visitors began on the front foot. The bright start was the kick up the backside they needed as Charith Senevirathne slotted over two penalties to give them the early lead with 20 minutes gone on the clock. (CH 00-06 AF)
Air Force’s spark in the beginning of the game soon faded away and a poacher try by Avishka Lee, converted by Samuel Maduwantha along with a penalty off the boot of the latter soon after meant that the visitors were down by four points with 6 minutes left in the first half.
The young halfback Lee took a quick tap off a free kick from a scrum –catching everyone napping–and battled his way to the try line, dotting down with good composure as all the early pressure from Air Force was diverted immaculately. (CH 10-06 AF)
However, CH were made to pay for complacency off the restart as a high shot from Yoshitha Rajapakshe meant Charith Senevirathne was handed the opportunity to cut the deficit.
The returning Centre slotted over the kick with relative ease from a difficult angle as the first half drew to a close with the travelers training by a single point.
Half Time: CH & FC 10 (1T 1C 1P) lead Air Force Sports Club 09 (3P)
The heated half time message from Coach Laga got the home side running as they looked lethal in attack and solid in defense, giving away just a single penalty for the visitors in the 2nd half.
A lucky penalty for CH –Iddamalgoda marginally offside—was the beginning of the down fall for Air Force.
Maduwantha made no mistake slotting over and no sooner he added his second past the 50-minute mark, the home team were a converted try away on the scoreboard. (CH 16-09 AF)
Similar to the first half, complacency after points meant Senevirathne cut the lead by 3-points off the tee as the heavens opened at Racecourse.
Senevirathne missed his fifth kick at goal after less than five minutes of cutting the lead to 3 and was duly punished for the chance that went begging.
The missed chance meant the tide turned back in favor of the home side, the sniff they needed as they dotted down for their second try of the evening.
Making his first start in the lock position for CH, Pradeep Kurakulasuriya was the beneficiary as he dotted down putting further daylight between the teams. Maduwantha made a rare error off the boot missing his first for the evening. (CH 21-12 AF)
Air Force once against found themselves on the ascendancy however it was brought to an abrupt stop as Charles Praveen –coming off the bench– knocked on 7-meters from the goal line.
The next point-scoring phase for the hosts was courtesy an immaculately placed box kick from Player of the Match Avishka Lee.
A stray pass following the 50-meter lineout saw Lee Keegal latch on to the slippery loose ball and scamper his way through the defender to score beside the upright.
Maduwantha made no mistake this time, putting the game to bed with four minutes left as the home side now began to chase the four try bonus. (CH 28-12 AF)
CH pushed the visitors for their fourth try but once possession changed hands, Air Force had one last foray towards the try line; that attack too ended in abrupt fashion, similar to the last as the game drew to a close.
Full Time: CH & FC 28 (3T 2C 3P) beat Air Force 12 (4P)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Avishka Lee (CH & FC Halfback)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC – Avishka Lee 1T, Pradeep Kurakulasuriya 1T, Lee Keegal 1T, Samuel Maduwantha 2C,3P (5/6)
Air Force – Charith Senevirathne 4P (4/5)
