Clinical Army SC knocked over Police SC by 41 points (6T, 4C, 1P) to 20 (3T, 1C, 1P) points in a week 9 fixture in the Dialog Rugby League played at Police Park on Sunday.
Police hosted the game being the favorites to win this mid-table clash and end in a higher position going into the second round of the season while Army needed a strong performance to announce their intentions during the coming months.
Police fly-half Samantha Lakshan kicked off the proceedings on a blue-skied, evening in Colombo. The hosts drew first blood with only three minutes on the clock as Randitha Warnapura finished off a scintillating Filimoni Seru break. Samantha Lakshan missed the conversion. (Army 00 – Police 05)
After 12 minutes of fast and open rugby, Police extended their lead as Samantha Lakshan booted a penalty kick after the visitors were penalized for not releasing the ball carrier in a ruck. (Army 00 – Police 08)
Army finally settled down to let their backs run free in the far corner of the field and full back Gayan Salinda scored the first Army try in the 16th minute and he converted his own try to reduce the deficit to just a point. (Army 07 – Police 08)
Army jumped into the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to a superb 40-meter dash by second row forward Randhika Alwis who collected a timely off-load from Kavindu Perera near the center of the field. Thisila Karunathilake missed the conversion. (Army 12 – Police 08)
Army winger Chula Susantha intercepted a long pass from the Police play maker Apisai Naqaliva and sprinted away to score the third Army try for the evening. Gayan Salinda missed the conversion. (Army 17 – Police 08)
Apisai Naqaliva had a horrid outing as his touch kicks and restarts were very poor most of the times and he failed to break the Army defense line. Scrums were scrappy from both camps yet the Army backs were a treat to watch though no tries were scored in the latter part of the first half.
Half-time: Army 17 (3T,1C) – Police 08 (1T, 1P)
After the lemons break, Army scrum-half Mohammed Absal playing his first match for the Soldiers restarted the game. Army tried a long-range penalty kick from Pio Tuwai’s boot but the attempt was unsuccessful. A few handling errors by both teams slowed down the early exchanges of the second half.
In the 55th minute of the match, Police’ foreign pair of Apisai Naqaliva and Filimoni Seru combined well to break the strong Army defense structure as the latter barged over under the post. Samantha Lakshan converted to bring down the deficit. (Army 17 – Police 15)
Army was quick to reply and keep the distance of the scores through their inspiring scrum-half Mohammed Absal who took a quick tap from a penalty just 5 meters out of the try line and sneaked in to score his first try of the match. Gayan Salinda added the extra points. (Army 24 – Police 15)
The burly replacement number 8 Pio Tuwai made short work through the blind side to score the 5th Army try as the Soldiers took control of the match with only 15 minutes left. Mohammed Absal converted superbly to add the extra points. (Army 31 – Police 15)
Police redeemed some pride in the 73rd minute to please their disappointed supporters through their replacement hooker Prasath Madusanka as he managed to cross the try line. Samantha Lakshan failed to add extra points. (Army 31 – Police 20)
Mohammed Absal having a dream debut for Army continued to impress everyone present at Police Park on Sunday with his high work rate for a scrum-half. He kicked a 25-meter penalty kick in the 76th minute and ended the game scoring his second try for the evening which his skipper Rohitha Rajapaksa converted as the referee blew the final whistle.
Army played an expansive game using both their forwards and backs perfectly to hit the right weak spots in the Police game. In what was the most-anticipated clash of the week, Army soldiers completely outclassed the Police.
Full-time: Army 41 (6T,4C,1P) – Police 20 (3T,1P,1C)
Referee – Just Wang
ThePapare Man of the Match – Mohammed Absal
After the game, delighted Army SC head coach shared his views on the game exclusively with www.thepapare.com, “ The boys played good rugby with big hearts. I’m very happy with our defense as we worked hard at practices to improve our defense structure. We are ready for the second round. “
Army
Gayan Salinda, Kavindu Perera, Jone Avokia Vota, Banuka Nanayakkara, Chula Susantha, Rohitha Rajapaksa, Mohammed Absal, Nemani Nagusa, Upul Abeyrathna, Thisila Karunathilaka, Mohammed Akram, Randika Alwis, Asoka Jayalal, Lahiru Pavithra, Yohan Keyzer.
Replacements – Dinesh Suranga, Aravinda Karunarathna, Pio Tuwai, Sarath Kumara, Rizvi Mohamed, Sashan Mohamed, Asela Wijeisnghe, Kolinio Tamanitoakula.
Police
Hashan Gomes, Banuka Piris, Apisai Naqaliva, Randitha Warnapura, Janith Chandimal. Samantha Lakshan, Sudam Suriarachchi, Filimoni Seru, Shanaka Harischandra, Chanaka Suriyapperuma, Farshad Hassen, Romesh Acharige, Randira Silva, Rasith Silva, Udara Gayan.
Replacements – Prasath Madusanka,Gamunu Indrachapa, Paul Tuimalo, Thanujaya Senaviratne, Prasad Devinda, Sithum Chathusanka, Ashan Bandara, Horace Otieno.
