CR & FC ended their season on a winning note as they beat Police Sports Club by a single point in a cliff-hanger of a game played today at the Race course grounds in Colombo.
CR kicked off the game off the boot of Nalin Kumara on a gloomy and slippery day in Colombo.
Police started the game brightly as they won the contest in the air and at the breakdown. But it was CR & FC who made the score tick first as they scored the opening try through foreign star Robbie Malneek. He finished well as Police knocked on a high ball and CR made full use as they worked the line to find Robbie diving over the whitewash to open the score against the flow of the game. Kanchana Ramanayaka failed to add the extra two as the score remained at 5-nill in favour of CR. (Police nil-05 CR)
Police restored parity as they turned all their early pressure into points as Rimzi Jamaldeen slotted over a penalty from right in front of the upright. (Police 03-05 CR)
CR soon extended their lead when the Police defensive line was caught off side. Kanchana Ramanayaka stepped up and coolly kicked his team into a five point lead. (Police 03-08 CR)
Scrum half Sudam Suriarachchi sniped off a ruck to score after Police No.8 Seru Filimoni made a bruising break and two phases late the scrum -half finished to put Police in the lead for the first time game in the game. Rimzi Jamaldeen successfully added the extras. (Police 10-08 CR)
CR & FC did not let Police get under their skin as they scored soon after falling behind in the game. Police were penalized many times five meters away from their try line as CR stepped on the accelerator and that meant the referee had to award CR a penalty try. Kanchana Ramanayaka successfully converted the try. (Police 10-15 CR)
CR did not let the momentum slip away as they continued to pressure the Police defence. The pressure told as Police was penalized 5 meters away from the try line. Rochana Hettiarachchi reacted fast and took a quick tap and dived in the corner as CR ended the first half on a high as they scored right on the buzzer. Kanchana Ramanayaka failed to add the extra two points. (Police 10 – 20 CR)
Half Time: Police 10 (1T, 1C, 1P) – CR & FC 20 (3T, 1P 1C)
Both teams started the second half better than the first but neither team could have broken the dead lock.
Police did not back down and scored the first points of the second half as Police Fullback Eranda Weerakkody stripped the ball from a CR player and kicked a well weighted grubber kick. Former CH captain Radeesha Senavirathne collected the bouncing ball and crashed over to score. Rimzi Jamaldeen successfully added the extras. (Police 17-20 CR)
CR did not let the score jitter them as they scored a wonderful try of their own. Police was penalized for playing the ball on the floor, CR kicked to touch and formed a rolling maul and drover their way to the try line and over. No.8 Faumui Joshep was awarded the try as CR extended their lead in the game. Kanchana Ramanayaka failed to add the extras. (Police 17-25 CR)
CR tightened their strangle hold in the game standing No.8 Puppuy Farral broke off the scrum and passed to Robbie Malneek, he then threw an inside pass that found its way to Kanchana Ramanayaka, who sprinted more than 40 meters to score and extend CR’s lead in the game. Nalin Kumara failed to convert the try. (Police 17-30 CR)
Police did not let the game get too far out of their sight as Apisai Naqaliva received and barged his way to scored and kick some life into the game and brought the game into the reach of Police. Rimzi Jamaldeen successfully added the extras. (Police 24-30 CR)
Eranda Weerakkody scored with minutes remaining as Mushin Faleel broke the line and sent Weerakkody to score in the far corner. Rimzi Jamaldeen failed to kick Police to victory as the game ended 30-29 in favour of CR & FC.
Full Time: CR 30 (5T, 1P 1C) beat Police 29 (4T, 3C, 1P)
ThePapare Man of the match: Robbie Malneek (CR & FC Fullback)
