Adverse weather conditions disrupted the opening week fixture of the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 between Army SC and Police SC, played at the Army Grounds in Panagoda. The match was abandoned after 40 minutes of play, with Army holding a narrow 8-5 lead. It will resume from where it left off on a rescheduled date.
Police kicked off the encounter and dominated possession in the initial phases of the game but struggled to convert their opportunities into points. The deadlock was finally broken in the 20th minute when a brilliant kick from their own 22 by Price Chamara secured a 50-22. Police made the most of the resulting lineout, with Deshan Fernando sniping over from the back of a maul to score the opening try. (Army 00 – 05 Police)
Ashan Bandara missed two kickable penalties early on but made up for it with a crucial try. Following brilliant forward play by the Army pack, Bandara spotted a gap in the Police defense and darted through to score, leveling the game. To add to Police’s woes, their No. 8, Shanaka Harischandra, was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle in the buildup to the try. (Army 05 – 05 Police)
The heavens opened up as dark clouds dimmed the lighting, but in the dying moments of the first half, Army capitalized on a Police offside infringement. Ashan Bandara slotted a penalty goal, giving Army a narrow lead as they headed into the break.
Half Time: Army SC 08 (1T,1P) – Police SC 05 (1T)
The rainy conditions worsened during the halftime break, and the fading light made it impossible to resume play as the two teams prepared to return to the field. Consequently, no further action was possible, and the game will now continue from where it stopped on a later date. Stay tuned to ThePapare.com for updates on the rescheduled date of this fixture.
Points Breakdown
Army SC 08
- Ashan Bandara 1T,1P
Police SC 05
- Deshan Fernando 1T
