CR & FC kicked off on an overcast evening at Race Course international stadium.
Both teams traded a penalty each in the first 10 minutes as the CH defence held firm through the CR defence. (CH 3-3 CR)
Taariq Salih was the first to get into the try scoring list as he was the benefiter of a Kavindu De Costa break. Prince Chamara failed to add the extras. (CH 3-8 CR)
Three further converted tries from Kavindu De Costa, returning winger Anuradha Herath and number 8. Omalka Gunarathne extended the Longdon place team’s lead by 29-3. (CH 3-29 CR)
Thivanka Bandara scored an opportunistic try as he was on the receiving end of a knock on by a CR lad. Bandara made a mad dash but managed to run to the far touch flag and dot down. Vishva Deneth failed with the touch line conversion. (CH 8-29 CR)
Anuradha Herath got his second of the game as he was the first to react to pick a drop ball and dash down the near touchline for a strong try. Chamara added the extras with ease. (CH 8-36 CR)
Shawketh Lahir’s replacement Shamal Weerasekara was the man to get the final act of the first half as he scored with minutes to go. Kavindu De Costa made a cheeky drop goal conversion as CR went to the break with a commanding lead. (CH 8-43 CR)
Half Time: CH & FC 8 (1T, 1P) – CR & FC 43 (6T, 5C, 1P)
The Longdon Place lads added 5 further tries in the second half stunning the hosts players and fans.
Prince Chamara’s handy flick pass found Mohomad Sashan at the end of it as the fullback and winger linked up for a lovely try. Chamara made easy work converting with ease. (CH 8-50 CR)
Anuradha Herath managed his hat-trick as yet another trademark 40 meter run ended with the scrumptious try. Chamara failed with the conversion. (CH 8-55 CR)
Captain Shane Sammandapperuma was the next to get on the act as he dived over as he found himself in the right place at the right time. Replacement Nalin Kumara got his first soon after to make it 10 tries in the match. Prince made no mistake slotting over both conversions with ease. (CH 8-69 CR)
Samantha Lakshan saw yellow for a dangerous tip tackle as the hosts pushed for a consolation score not before Nalin Kumara scored his second of the game. Chamara added the extras. (CH 8-76 CR)
The hosts got that consolation try as impressive flanker Kasun Srinath dived over after a good break. Deneth failed the conversion. (CH 13-76 CR)
Former Josephian prop Charana Sendanayaka’s try was the final act of the game as he bombarded his way through the tiring CH defence to score. Samantha Lakshan added the conversion through a drop kick as the game ended. (CH 13-83 CR)
Full Time: CH & FC 13 (2T, 1P) lose to CR & FC 83 (12T, 10C, 1P)
ThePapare.com player of the match: Taariq Sailh
Taariq had few words following the win.
“With experienced players missing, and new faces starting we had a shaky first 20 minutes but the new boys stepped up”
“We wanted this match to be a springboard for the second round and we got just what we wanted with this big win”
Score breakdown
CH & FC
Tries: Thivanka Bandara, Kasun Srinath
Penalty: Vishva DenethCR & FC
Tries: Taariq Sailh, Kavinda De Costa, Anuradha Herath 3, Shamal Weerasekara, Sashan Mohomad, Shane Sammandapperuma, Nalin Kumara 2, Charana Sendanayaka
Penalty: Prince Chamara
Conversions: Prince Chamara 7, Kavindu De Costa, Nalin Kumara, Samantha Lakshan
