Navy SC managed to propel their way past a resurgent Army SC side with a 31-13 victory at Welisara. Army SC had lost the services of both foreign players who have helped their causes this season, and thus failed to live upto expectations.
Army SC drew first blood away from home at Welisara with a well worked drop goal. Right footer Upali Wickramasinghe seized the opportunity to kick in between the posts from a seemingly tight angle to put his team ahead.
However, the home team responded brilliantly as they managed to score immediately from the kick off that followed. Navy SC worked the ball from left to right, eventually finding an overlap that released winger Dinusha Fernando who had ample space and speed to swoop past the Army SC defensive line and score on the right corner. The conversion that followed was successful as Navy SC took the lead.
Signs of a very tight test ensued as Army SC managed to earn themselves a penalty, as Navy SC were penalised for being offside by referee Irshard Cader. The penalty cut the deficit to just a point as both teams were slowly settling in the game.
Navy SC then managed to add more points to their tally with another penalty, this time the Army SC line was adjudged offside, and the price had to be paid with the home team leading 10-06.
Army SC winger nearly broke through but was unfortunately very slow off the blocks as the Navy cover defense proved to be too fast to handle. With less than five minutes to go, Navy SC were boosted with another try as Kafatolu Mateaki wriggled his way past four Army SC defenders to score right under the post and give his team ample breathing space. With Navy SC adding the extra points the home team lead at half time with a 17-06 advantage.
Both teams failed to get off the blocks early in the second half, as play was mostly centralised near the half way mark.
Navy finally managed to break the point drought in the game, with a fantastic try as Dinusha Fernando sprinted his way on the right flank eventually making his way under the post. This try broke the shackles for Navy SC as their opponents confidence was shaken in the process.
A distraught Army SC were hit soon after, due a horrendous effort in defense off the restart that led to Bilal Hassen making his way to score under the post as the scores read 31-06 in favour of the home team.
Chanaka Chandimal and Nuwan Hettiarachchi shared the burden with the place kicks for Navy SC throughout this game.
Army SC tried extremely hard to breach the Navy SC defense late in the second half, and finally found solace in Asoka Jayalal who bundled over the line to give his team a slight consolation. Upali Wickramasinghe added the extra points.
However, the comeback was left for too late as referee Irshard Cader blew the full time whistle shortly after to signal a resounding victory for Navy SC that would further boost their title credentials this season in the Dialog Rugby League.
