Army SC dominated proceedings in their second week encounter in the Dialog Rugby League against CH&FC as the soldiers won the game 39 points to 12 at Race Course grounds.
The full-time score could have been different if not for the indiscipline shown by the CH boys. Coming from a heavy defeat last week, CH&FC showed grit right throughout the 80 minutes. The first half saw both teams on equal footing but Army led by 10 points going into the break. It was Gayan Salinda who drew first blood in the game in favor of the Soldiers. A series of unforced errors by the CH forwards led to a fairly straightforward penalty for the likes of Salinda. (Army SC 3: CH&FC 0)
Photos: CH&FC v Army SC | Dialog Rugby League 2016/17 | #Match 7
Army punished CH&FC for their early mistakes as they went 10-0 up inside the first 15 minutes. Sumeda Nanayakkara who came in as a replacement for a blood injury to Nalaka Maduranga, was pushed over from a line out inside the 5m line. Salinda added the extras. (Army SC 10: CH&FC 0)
As the game progressed, the CH boys looked more comfortable in the field. Quick hands and timely offloads helped them gain some yards into Army territory. The Soldiers were up to the task and they managed to score a counter attacking try to extend their lead up to 17 points in the 16th minute. Suramya Herath spotted a gap and ran all the way up to the 5m line. The Army forwards were quick to come in for support and it was Aravinda Karunarathne who took the honors for their third try. (Army SC 17: CH&FC 0)
The second quarter of the first half belonged to CH&FC. Their tackling was on point and they were disciplined which helped them to maintain pressure on Army. At the brink of half time, CH&FC finally got rewarded for their hard work as Mohommad Rifkhan went over to score their first try of the match. Fariz Ali added the extras for CH.
Half Time: Army SC 17: CH&FC 7
The First quarter of the second half was yet again dominated by CH. They went on to add 5 more points early in the second half. Skipper Chanaka Fonseka pulled off a brilliant dummy in the 40m line which created space for the wing three quarters to work their way to the try line. It was Janith Chandimal who put the finishing touches for CH&FC (Army SC 17: CH&FC 12)
From there on in, CH went back to their indisciplined nature and the soldiers made them pay for it. Army’s fourth try came off another line-out inside the 10m line. Fariz Ali couldn’t pull off a good clearance which allowed Army to use the set play to their advantage. Mohommad Rizvi was pushed over the line after a few phases inside 10m. (Army SC 22: CH&FC 12)
Few minutes later Chameera Silva scored the fifth try for the Army. A series of penalties by CH inside their own half allowed Army to regroup and score with ease. Salinda added the extras. (Army SC 29: CH&FC 12)
The Soldiers kept on punishing their opponents as they piled up two more tries in the final five minutes which made the scoreboard look more convincing in favor of Army. Chameera Silva scored his second try after a few phases inside CH territory in the 76th minute of the game, he showed good technique in the latter stages which helped his team to gain more yards towards the CH try line. (Army SC 34: CH&FC 12)
Things got heated up in the dying minutes of the game when Vinod Kumar of Army made a dangerous tackle on Rohitha Rajapaksha. Both teams went at each other but the referees managed to calm things down before it got out of hand. Vinod received a yellow card for the tackle. A few moments later Devinda Kolombage of CH&FC was sin binned for a neck tackle.
In extra time, Sanjeewa Hapusgaskumbura put the icing on the cake as he went over the line with the 6th try of the match for Army. A convincing win for the Soldiers but CH&FC should take heart from this performance.
Full Time: Army SC 39: CH&FC 12
ThePapare Player of the Match: Chameera Silva (Army SC)
Point scorers for Army SC: Chameera Silva 2T, Gayan Salinda 3C 1P, Sanjeewa Hapugaskumbura 1T, Sumeda Nanayakkara 1T, Mohomma Rizvi 1T, Aravinda Karunarathna 1T
Point scorers for CH&FC: Janith Chandimal 1T, Fariz Ali 1C, Mohommad Rifkhan 1T
