The Dialog Rugby League kicked off today at the home of the Hambantota Sharks Beliaththa against the defending champions Navy S.C, where the Sailors had a convincing win with 35(5T, 5C)- 15 (5P)
The first game of the season started-off with two minutes silence in memory of those lost in the Koslanda landslide tragedy. Despite expected bad weather sunshine greeted the new season.
The Sailors dominated the first half with a lead of 28 – 06, with captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa leading the team from the front. Hooker Achala Perera scored the first try from the driving maul in the 11thminute of play. No sooner to that, Yoshitha took a quick tap with 15m to the score line and made his first try. Rizah Mubarak who was in his second run with the Navy team, made the first two conversions and the score moved to (Navy14 – 00 Sharks)
Sharks showed great intensity to come back, veteran Amjad Buksh after missing two early penalties in the 23rd minute, made his first clear touch. It was not the expected action packed game from Navy as they seemed to be finding their feet and could have done more with their potential. However, in the 32nd minute Yoshitha scored his second try from the driving maul in the line out. (Navy 21 – 03 Sharks)
Buksh made another penalty count and kept the score moving for the host, whilst Joeli Lutumalagi the Fijian centre for Navy scored a skillful try just before the half. Rizah Mubarak added the extras.
Sharo Fernando for Navy SC was outstanding in the line out connections and kick-off receiving as was Rizah Mubarak with the 5 out of 5 accuracy at the uprights.
Half Time : Navy 28 – 06 Sharks
Sharks were on song in the early of the second half with Buksh adding another three points. The home team had territory and position but were unable to make it in to points. Once again Yoshitha Rajapaksa mastering through forward troops in similar fashion as he did his second, scored a third. (Navy 35 – 09 Sharks)
Navy’s fly half Chanaka Chandimal sustained a nasty ankle injury and was taken by ambulance just before Sharks Rizwan Nazar was penalized with a yellow card by the referee Pradeep Fernando. Sharks defended well after lemons with Buksh making another easy penalty count with his kicking. Navy 35 – 12 Sharks)
Not too much action was witnessed from both the foreign players Joseph Dunn of Sharks and Lutumalagi of Navy, despite having a good seasons last year. Buksh added the final points with another penalty and the veteran showcased he is still strong and can play rugby after claiming all the points for Sharks.
Srinath Sooriyabandara and Hasitha Perera the two national players were rested from todays’ match by the defending champions, however, they are set to start in the next week clash.
Full time : Navy 35 (4T, 4C)-Sharks 15 (4P)
Quotes :
Nilfer Ibrahim expressed his views “boys played with great intensity in the second half, they gave seven points and scored 6. Without star names I am happy with the performance. Hopefully we can do a lot better in coming weeks”
Leonard de Silva – Navy SC coach –“ we dominated the first half but not the second. Still early days but the boys will play to their potential in the future”
ThePapare Man of the match : Yoshitha Rajapaksa – Navy SC
