CH & FC managed to win their first game of the season by defeating an improving Air Force outfit in the Dialog Rugby League game played at Racecourse Grounds this evening. At half time CH lead 15 points to 8 and at the conclusion of 80 minutes CH won 26 (4T,2P) points to 18 (2T,1C,2P).
Air Force SC v CH & FC | ThePapare Stats Centre
Much fancied CH & FC went down by just one point to CR & FC and Havelocks in the opening two games and were craving for a win in the Dialog Rugby League. On the other hand the Airmen also suffered defeats in the first two games while they also lost the services of their foreign players and had only a slim chance of winning this encounter.
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Gayantha Iddamalgoda kicked off proceedings under hot and humid conditions which was ideal for the CH home team. Initial handling errors slowed the game down but Avishka Lee created an ideal opportunity for Naveen Henakankanamage to bridge the Air Force defense and wonderful hands by the CH line managed to send Anuradha Hearth over the white wash to open the scoring. Samuel Maduwantha missed a difficult conversion. (CH 05- 00 AFSC)
Air Force had to deal with another blow when the prop forward Charles Praveen was sent to the bin for a high shot by Referee Weranga. CH pilled on the pressure on the Airmen as they leaked penalties and CH went over to score from a 5-meter scrum as their forwards over-powered the airmen as Niwanka Prasad scored the second try of the game. Surprisingly Maduwantha missed this conversion too.
CH & FC skipper Yoshitha Rajapakse in action
CH continued their attacking dominance as they came close to score but Air Force defended well and Samuel Maduwantha had the presence of mind to make chip kick as Nishon Perera collected it and gained valuable yards as he was brought down near the try line. Niwanka Prasad collected the ball from the ruck and went over to score his second. Maduwantha continued his poor kicking form as he missed the third consecutive conversion. (CH 15- 00 AFSC)
CH were caught napping as the Airmen scored an easy try by spreading the ball towards the wide channels as Jero Dananjaya went over near the corner flag to reduce the deficit. Gayantha Iddamalgoda missed his conversion as the windy conditions took the ball away from the sticks.
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CH lost their momentum in the second quarter of the first half as the Airmen played attacking rugby and they further reduced their deficit from a penalty kick from Gayantha Iddamalgoda. (CH 15- 08 AFSC)
Photo Album: CH & FC vs Air Force SC – DIALOG RUGBY LEAGUE – 2018 / 2019
The Airmen had few opportunities just before half time as few kickable penalties was taken but CH managed to defend the Air Force onslaught.
Half Time – CH & FC 15 (3T) – Air Force 08 (1T, 1P)
The Airmen continued from where they left off as they piled on the pressure towards the CH outfit and Sudam Sooriyaarachchi made a high tackle and was sent to the naughty chair. Charith Senevirathne added a valuable three points for the airmen. Samuel Maduwantha managed to add three points through a penalty kick for CH and managed to bring back the lead up to 7 points. (CH 18- 11 AFSC)
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The CH forwards managed to put on a solid performance by playing more than 10 phases of play and finally Chathura Dilshan went over the line to increase their lead. The Airmen faced a double blow when the playmaker Gayantha Iddamalgoda was sent to the bin for high tackle and Praveen Charles received a red card after he continued to contest the referees decision to show him a yellow card. Maduwantha managed to add three points from a penalty they received for a high tackle and increase the CH lead. (CH 26 – 11 AFSC)
Nuwan Perera managed to score a consolation try just before the final whistle and Charith Senevirathne added the extras and CH & FC finally managed to get their first victory of the season.
Full Time – CH & FC 26 (4T, 2P) – Air Force 18 (2T, 1C, 2P)
- ThePapare.com’s Player of the match – Niwanka Prasad (CH & FC)
- Match Referee – Hasantha Weranga
Breakdown
CH & FC: Tries from Anuradha Hearth, Chathura Dilshan and Niwanka Prasad (2) and Penalties by Samuel Maduwantha (2)
Air Force: Tries from Jero Dananjaya, Nuwan Perera, conversion by Charith Senevirathne & Penalties by Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Charith Senevirathne
