CH & FC Deliver Commanding Performance to Conclude League Campaign with 33-07 Win Over Army SC in Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 Plate Segment Clash at Army Grounds, Panagoda.
Army Sports Club faced off against CH & FC in a must-win game to keep their hopes alive in the Plate segment of the competition. Gayan Salinda kicked off proceedings, but it was the visitors who struck first. CH & FC’s forwards executed a well-coordinated rolling maul, allowing Pulasthi Dassanayake to dive over at the back of the maul for the opening try. (Army 00-05 CH)
The game was played at a stop-start tempo, with both teams committing several unforced errors. However, in the 21st minute, CH & FC strung together multiple phases of pick-and-drive before their second-rower, Nirosh Perera, broke through the Army defense. Perera then offloaded to scrum-half Harsha Maduranga, who raced in for the second try of the match. Kavindu Yasas added the extras with a straightforward conversion. (Army 00-12 CH)
Army quickly responded to stay in contention. From a scrum just inside their own half, their backs launched an attack. A well-timed run from tighthead prop Mohamed Akram brought play close to the try line before loosehead prop Buddi Sreemantha powered through the defense to score. Gayan Salinda converted successfully to keep the scores tight. (Army 07-12 CH)
CH & FC capitalized on a turnover straight from the restart. Dinesh De Silva’s kick was collected by Army scrum-half Wasantha Kumarasinghe, but CH & FC captain Janindu Dilshan ripped the ball from him and sprinted under the posts for a simple try. Yasas converted again. (Army 07-19 CH)
The visitors finished the first half on a high note. From a line-out, they gained several meters using the rolling maul, which was eventually halted just short of the try line. Quick ball to flanker Udesh Madushanka allowed him to bump off two defenders and dive over for the bonus-point try. Yasas added the conversion to extend CH & FC’s lead.
Half-time: Army SC 07 (1T, 1C) – CH & FC 26 (4T, 3C)
The visitors came out of the break with immediate intent, and speedster Pasindu Bandara was quick to showcase his abilities. He expertly chipped the ball over the Army defenders and, with his pace, managed to collect it and break through the Army defense with ease. Bandara then offloaded the ball, drawing in the last defenders, allowing Randitha Warnapura to score comfortably. Kavindu Yasas added the conversion. (Army 07-33 CH)
After the early scoring, the game settled into a quieter phase, with both teams struggling to create clear opportunities. Despite sustained pressure, neither side could break the deadlock as CH & FC held firm in defense. They successfully saw out the game to secure the victory, putting them on the verge of clinching the Plate segment.
Full Time: Army SC 07 (1T,1C) – CH & FC 33 (5T,4C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Udesh Madushanka (CH & FC)
Points Breakdown
Army SC 07
Buddi Sreemantha 1T, Gayan Salinda 1C
CH & FC 33
Pulasthi Dassanayake 1T, Harsha Maduranga 1T, Janindu Dilshan 1T, Udesh Madushanka 1T, Randitha Warnapura 1T, Kavindu Yasas 4C
