With Air Force playing at their home grounds and facing an upcoming club Hambanthota Sharks, they had much faith in the game. Yet the early on signs were not favourable for the Sri Lanka Air Force.
However adding 27 points the Air Force showed tremendous strength and resilience to win against the Hambantota Sharks 37-25
Kicking off against the strong winds Hambanthota Sharks were the first to score and surpsingly with a long meter penalty. Dev Anand at number 10 got his first kick straight through scoring 3 -0 for Sharks in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Sharks scored yet again with a try this time. Anand was unsuccessful this time around and the score tallied at 8-0 for the Sharks.
Taking off from the scrum closer to their respective try line, the Air Force looked to drive through. Sharks managed to turn over ball and breaking the Air Forces defences No 29 for the Hambantota Sharks scored the second try of the game. However the 25- meter long kick was not precise enough to make through the uprights. Score 13 – 0
Frank Donald of the Sri Lanka Air Force taking a pass from a scrum pushed forward dragging 4 of the opposition with him for almost 25 meters nearly making to the try line. Yet the home side was not lucky enough to push it instead they kicked it over the line and Sharks pounced on the ball. Regaining on to the ball again after a long lasting maul Air Force pushed hard at it. Finally the referee’s whistle went off as outside half Dushshanka Hapuarachchi scored a try for Air Force. Kicking against the winds with great effort the Air Force gained some valuable points just before the half. Score 13 – 7
Half time 13 – 7
Hambanthota Sharks took on the game more seriously, with Air Force’s last minute first half performance, was a steady kick off. The visitors drove into the kick, number 14 retaining the ball corner kicked the ball to the try line 3 meters away from it. Yet this advantageous line out for Air Force was turned against them. Getting on the ball No. 23 for the Hambanthota Sharks Failanga was on a run for 75 meters with the one player trailing after him. Dummying his opposition into not tackling him he dashed to the try line with ease. A kick against the winds went astray as the try remained unconverted. The score was in favor of Hambanthora Sharks 18 – 7
Yet proceeding from the center having had a ruck 25 meters away the Air Force was awarded a penalty. This brought in their first points of the game with a penalty by Asanka Perera.Score:18 – 10
Air Force kicked long in to the hands of No. 15 for Hambanthota Sharks who passed to Failanga who pushed 25 meters ahead dogging 3 tacklers by the opposition. Lui Lolo took on the fight and pushed to the try line, successfully converting it himself. Score: 25 – 10.
Playing on, the Air Force manoeuvred closer to the scoring another try. Stuck in a maul the referee blew the whistle for a penalty. Playing on advantage, the Air force managed to recover the ball as planned. This brought in 7 points for Air Force and with Nuwan Perera slotting in the conversion the Air Force closed in to the Sharks lead 25 – 17
Motivated from their outstanding play and with an over-turn in the score in sight, the Air Force turned the aggressor. Taking on a line out by the Sharks, the Air Force took possession and moved quickly to the other end of the ground. Charith Senevirathene the captain of the Air Force went over and with a successful conversion narrowed the gap on the visitors. Score: 25 -24
Game on, both teams took on belligerent play, a delayed line out later the Sharks took possession and for some phases through 20 and 14. Failanga got ball to hand but dropped the ball instead much to the despair of the Sharks. After a scrum the game turned around. Taking a penalty almost 40 meters away, the Air Force was gunning for the advantage of the game. And as expected among the greatest cheers of home support the Air Force lead for the first time 24 -27
Sharks were quick in the next kick off trying for the recovery. Pushing for the corner the entire team propelled themselves to the try line but advantage was turned one again for Air Force. Number 11 the Sri Lanka Air Force, Dushshanka Hapuarachchi with no defences from the Sharks made it to the try line easily. With that conversion the final victory was to Air Force. Score: 25 -37
Full time score: 37-25
