Chamara Dabare scored just at the stroke of full-time. However, Hirusha Sampath failed to add the extras from a tight angle as Army Sports Club hung on by the scruff of their teeth to defeat CH & FC 27-25 in the Dialog Rugby League game played at Army’s adopted home, Welisara.
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CH & FC made three (3) changes, all of which were in the backline and saw Rizwan Mohomed, Anuradha Herath and Gayan Weerarathne return to the starting XV for this crucial encounter.
Meanwhile the hosts made five (5) changes, a notable one being Sudaraka Dikkubura retuning following a week of suspension.
It took the hosts just 3 minutes to get on the score sheet, as their fast start paid off. The visitors were caught out by the rapid start as the Army maul made headway, giving Shehan Silva the platform to crash over from close range to take an early lead.
Isuru Medagedara made no mistake from the tee, adding the extras to make it a perfect 7 early on in the piece. (Army 07-00 CH)
CH got off the mark slow in the game as it was all Army in the early exchanges. The hosts dominated; however, they failed to turn their dominance into points as the visitors held their own well.
It took the visitors 18 minutes to turn defence into attack, scoring twice in quick succession to stun the Army.
The lads from Maitland Crescent struck in similar fashion as the Army, with Chathura Dilshan crashing over following a rolling maul to get CH off the mark.
The visitors soon doubled their try tally through Anuradha Herath as the winger created and added the finishing touch to his own piece of individual brilliance.
Hirusha Sampath failed with both conversions from the touchline as CH took a narrow 3-point lead with half time fast approaching. (Army 07-10 CH)
Isuru Medagedara made no mistake from the tee, adding 3 crucial points as Army punished the CH defence line for straying offside.
There was nothing to separate the two sides after playing for 120 minutes, as their first-round encounter too ended at 8-all.
Half Time: Army Sports Club 10 (1T 1C 1P) level with CH & FC 10 (2T)
Army stepped out of the sheds with a game plan and made their intentions clear as the home team scored through big Fijian Tomasi Caqusau.
The giant centre was found by Ashan Bandara, who cut back in on a lovely line as he broke through the heart of a non-existent CH defence, going over untouched.
Medagedara had a field day off the tee, piercing the posts to put Army back in front. (Army 17-10 CH)
The visitors struck through Prasad Madusanka, as the hooker scored in similar fashion to Dilshan in the first half. Hirusha Sampath successfully kicked his first goal off the tee, as Army were pegged back again. (Army 17-17 CH)
Medagedara’s sublime day with the boot continued as he traded a penalty a piece with Hirusha Sampath, as both teams continued to be inseparable with 10 minutes left in the game. (Army 20-20 CH)
With the game headed towards a draw, giant Fijian Tomasi stepped up as he scored his second of the game, set up by player of the match Ashan Bandara. This time he bounced off 4 would-be tacklers on his way to the chalk as the game continued to tip side-to-side.
Medagedara’s kicking accuracy remained at 100% as he notched over the conversion to give the hosts a 7-point lead going into the final 5-minutes. (Army 27-20 CH)
With the game and bragging rights on the line, CH upped the ante. However, the yellow wall held firm, denying the visitors of anything.
Substitute Rayan Weerakoo entered the fray, making a break with his first touch of the game as the Soldiers defence was finally breached.
This break paved the way for CH. Three phases later, Chamara Dabare found himself diving over in the corner for their bonus point try, setting up Hirusha Sampath with a conversion to tie the game.
The youngster’s kick from the near touchline faded away to the right as Army held on to the win. It took the two sides 160-minutes, separating each by just 2 points.
Full Time: Army Sports Club 27 (3T 3C 2P) beat CH & FC 25 (4T 1C 1P)
Dialog Viu Player of the Match: Ashan Bandara (Army Five-eighth)
Points Breakdown
Army: Shehan Silva 1T, Tomasi Caqusau 2T, Isuru Medagedara 3C 3P
CH: Chathura Dilshan 1T, Anuradha Herath 1T, Prasad Madusanka 1T, Chamara Dabare 1T, Hirusha Sampath 1C 1P
