Air Force's Radeesha Seneviratne tries to break through the CR defense
CR & FC started the Dialog Rugby League with a victory over the challenging Air force outfit this evening at Ratmalana. The score stood as 21(2T, 1C, 3P) points to 9(3P) in favour of the reds. At half time it was the Airmen who had a surprising lead of 6 points to 3.
Read about other opening week fixtures:
Ishara Madushan kick-started the proceedings at Ratmalana under gloomy conditions with a slight drizzle and the slippery underfoot conditions meant it won’t be fast paced game. It did make a big impact during the game as there were a lot of handling errors.
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Air Force SC missed out some good opportunities early in the game and their reliable kicker Charith Senevirathne missed out an early penalty kick as the ball unfortunately hit the left upright. The Airmen continued attacking the CR defense when Joel Perera was penalized by Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen for not releasing the ball carrier. Senevirathne was spot on with the easy kick to get the first points of the game. (Air force 03- 00 CR)
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CR was quick to reply as they received a penalty and Tarinda Ratwatte was successful with his kick to level scores for the red shirts. (Air force 03- 03 CR)
CR had to face a big blow to their side when skipper Kavindu Perera was sent to the sinbin for a tip tackle on the Air Force winger Amila Bandara. The Air Force had much to ponder on as they couldn’t capitalize on the numerical advantage they had as they missed a lot of opportunities to score. CR discipline in the first half was poor as Kushan Indunil was the second player from the redshirts to take the ten minute breather for a reckless high tackle. Senevirathne opted for the penalty kick and he was successful with his kick as Air force was back in the lead just before lemons. (Air force 06- 03 CR)
Half Time – Air force 06 (2P) – 03 (1P) CR & FC
In the second half CR looked like a totally different outfit from first as they used the forwards more because of the weather conditions and that decision paid dividends as the forwards dominated possession for the red shirts as they used the rolling maul as their main weapon. CR had momentum on their side and when they received a penalty they opted to go for touch. Charana Chamikara powered himself over the white-wash with a little help from his lock partner Panduka Angammana from a third phrase pick and go move which brought CR back to lead. Ratwatte couldn’t get extra points as the wind took his kick away from the uprights. (Air force 06- 08 CR)
The game moved along in slow pace as more handling errors took place due to the conditions. The Air Force went in to the lead again as Senevirathne took a difficult penalty kick and was successful as the pressure shifted towards the red shirts. After increasing their lead, the Airmen conceded another penalty and Ratwatte was successful with his kick. (Air force 09- 11 CR)
CR handled the pressure pretty well as they played more phases with their forwards and the rolling maul had big effect on the Airmen as they collapsed the rolling maul three times in red zone and referee Jamaldeen had no option but to award a penalty try for the Longdon place team. (Air force 09- 18 CR)
Ratwatte added another penalty just before the final whistle to seal game for red shirts.
Full Time – Air Force 09 (3P) – CR & FC 21 (2T, 1C, 1P)
Match Referee: Aaqil Jamaldeen
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Charana Chamikara (CR & FC)
CR & FC skipper Kavindu Perera expressed his thoughts about the game “we had to use the forwards a lot due to the rain as more handling errors happen when using the backs and that decision helped us win the first game as forwards played superb second half for us.”
The Score Breakdown
Air force SC 09 (06) 3P
Penalties: Charith Senevirathne (3)CR & FC 21 (03) 2T, 1C, 3P
Tries: Charana Chamikara and Penalty try
Penalties: Tarinda Ratwatte (3)
Bookings (yellow cards): Kavindu Perera and Kushan Indunil
