CR & FC comprehensively defeated the ‘giant killers’ Army SC, 53 points to 33 in their Dialog Rugby League encounter played at Longdon place earlier this evening.
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CR outside half Stephan Sivaraj kicked off the game under perfect conditions for fast, open rugby. Army had the possession in the early exchanges, but a handling error gave it away, back to CR. The red shirts managed to score from their first attacking move as Janidu Dilshan managed to break through the Army defense and offloaded the ball to winger Reeza Rafaideen to open the scoring. (CR 05 – 00 ARMY)
A few minutes later, Army managed a response to the early CR try when they used their forwards patiently through a few pick and drives. Scrum half Mohamed Rizvi managed to spread the ball to the wider channels using their backs, as Army found an overlap with Sudaraka Dikkumbura finding the white wash. (CR 05 – 05 ARMY)
CR then managed take control of the game as the backs dominated possession with threatening moves to destroy the Army defense. Flanker Shemal Weerasekara went through the Army defense in the corner and made 20 meters as he sucked in the Army sweeper and opened it up for Chamod Fernando to touch down for the Red shirts.
Thing got better for the Longdon place side as Skipper Omalka Gunaratne collected a loose ball, made a few important yards and a timely pass to see Raffaideen over the line. After two unsuccessful conversion attempts, Sivaraj bisected the uprights this time around. (CR 17 – 05 ARMY)
CR continued their momentum forward as Kevin Dixon destroyed the Army defense with his silky side stepping to score the bonus point try. Sivaraj added the extras. (CR 24 – 05 Army)
Army finally managed to get back to the game as Sudaraka Dikkumbura found the white wash after a quick phases of play by the Army backs opened up space in the CR defense. Isuru Madagedara managed to slot in the conversion. (CR 24 – 12 ARMY)
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A few minutes later Army breached the CR defense yet again using their backs, as Dhanushka Thalawaththa stepped in and went over to reduce the deficit. Madagedara added the crucial extras. (CR 24 – 19 ARMY)
In the final move of the first half, Joel Perera managed ran through the Army defense and scored under the post for the Longdon place side. Sivaraj increased the CR lead with a successful conversion. (CR 31 – 19 Army)
Half Time – CR & FC 31 (5T,3C) –ARMY SC 19 (3T,2C)
The second half didn’t live up to the standards which the first half had set, as the teams slowed down the pace of the game with Army dominating possession and territory. However, it was the home team that scored first as the CR forwards played a few phases of pick and drives as their skipper Omalka Gunarathne powered himself over the line to score. A few minutes later CR added another three points through a 35-meter kick from Tarinda Ratwatte. (CR 39 – 19 ARMY)
CR continued play a fast brand of rugby as Gemunu Chethiya ran through the wing as the Army defenders couldn’t stop the speedster from scoring. Tarinda Ratwatte continued his good kicking form as his kick bisected the uprights from a difficult angle. (CR 46 – 19 ARMY)
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Army didn’t give up the fight as they kept attacking using their forwards and it paid dividends when Nalan Premanath overpowered the CR defense and scored the bonus point try for the Soldiers. Gayan Salinda added the extra two points with ease. (CR 46 – 26 ARMY)
CR defended the last 10 minutes as Army continued to use their forwards and they scored another try when replacement prop forward Chameera Silva found the line in the 77th minute. Salinda bisected the uprights with ease. (CR 46 – 33 ARMY)
In the dying stages of the game CR scored their 8th try as Raffaideen collected a kick from Salinda and made a quick counter attack at the exhausted Army players, gaining 40 meters. Ratwatte collected the offload and put the icing on the cake for the rejuvenated CR outfit as they registered their first win of the second round.
Points Table | Dialog Rugby League
Full Time – CR & FC 53 (8T,5C,1P) –ARMY SC 33 (5T,4C)
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match – Kevin Dixon (CR & FC)
Match Referee – Dinka Peiris
Breakdown
CR & FC: Tries from Reeza Rafaideen (2), Chamod Fernando, Kevin Dixon, Joel Perera, Omalka Gunarathne, Gemunu Chethiya, Tarinda Ratwatte. Conversions by Stephan Sivaraj (3) , Tarinda Ratwatte (2) and Penalty by Tarinda Ratwatte
ARMY SC : Tries from Sudaraka Dikkubura (2) , Dhanushka Thalawaththa , Nalan Premanath ,Chameera Silva. Conversions by Isuru Madagedara (2) and Gayan Salinda (2)
