CH & FC are in pole position to secure a place in the Cup segment as the Maitland Crescent lads defeated Air Force narrowly 14 (2T 2C) – 10 (1T 1C 1P) in the Nippon Paints Club Rugby League game played at Racecourse.
Three minutes into the game, Prasanth Madusanka opened the scoring for the hosts, taking a quick tap and catching his opponents napping to go over. Hirusha Nethmina added the extras to make it a perfect 7. (CH 07-00 AF)
40-meter’s on the angle, Gayantha Iddamalgoda slotted over 3 points as the visitors cut the deficit after CH conceded a penalty. (CH 07-03 AF)
On the stroke of half time, inform Five-eighth Dinesh De Silva dived over for a try, knocking Air Force off their feet. Nethmina added the extras after the hooter to take CH into lemons with a comfortable lead.
Half time: CH & FC 14 (2T 2C) lead Air Force Sports Club 03 (1P)
Air Force tightened their defence in the second half, as CH were found wanting time and time again. CH & FC threw everything at Air Force. However, a sublime show of defensive skills meant the home team were frustrated.
Air Force managed a try of their own as a Penalty try was awarded to the visitors as Skipper Lee was sent to the bin, adding to the host’s woes.
The Penalty try meant a complete 7-points as Air Force drew ever so close on the scoreboard.
From then on, it was a game of cat and mouse, as Air Force chased CH time and time again, but neither team was able to get a score as the game ended in favour of the hosts.
Full time: CH & FC 14 (2T 2C) defeat Air Force 10 (1 Penalty Try , 1P)
Black Knight Player of the Match: Dushmantha Priyadarshana (CH & FC)
Points Breakdown:
CH: Prasanth Madusanka 1T, Dinesh De Silva 1T, Hirusha Nethmina 2C
Air Force: 1 Penalty Try, Gayantha Iddamalgoda 1P
 – 10 (1T 1C 1P) in the Nippon Paints Club Rugby League game played at Racecourse.){kind=link}