Second round, week 11 of Dialog Rugby League match between the Sailors and the Soldiers ended up with 43 (T7, C4) to 08 (T1, P1) in favor of the defending champions yesterday at Welisara.
Rohitha Rajapaksa kicked off the proceedings under the scary clouds which enticed as a heavy showers going to fall, ultimately those clouds only watched the game of rugby. Rizah Mubarak’s high kick was knocked-on by Asitha Wijesinghe in the red zone. The scrum move went left to right and Army’s ball was turned over by the hosts and sent out wide to the speedster Viswamithra Jayasinghe to open the score. With the Soldiers restart, the Navy indiscipline in the ruck led Gayan Salinda to put a decent penalty. (Navy 05 – 03 Army)
Fuapau Halaifihi the No8 made a stunning run in to the gap receiving a Suranga Pushpakumara’s pass from a lineout, but fell short to the try line. Nevertheless, Army falling off pressure in defence saw Pushpakumara taking a quick tap, passing to Chanaka Chandimal who spins it to Leo Naikasau to score the second try. Navy showing some good handling skills from the 10m line and working towards the red zone found Sajith Saranga the acting captain who scored the third try. Rizah missed the first two and converted the third. . (Navy 17 – 03 Army)
Next 10 minutes of play was evenly poised with both teams retained ball possession but neither could make in to points until the 36th minute where Halaifihi scored a well deserved try and it was the bonus point for the champions. Army had a very good chance with an attacking 5m line out but Perera showing great skills and his pass found the speedster Vishwamithra who ran a 55m run try.
Half Time – Navy 31 (T5, C3) – Army 03 (P1)
Rizah Mubarak restarted for the Sailors. The intensity of the game went down after the break similar play like in the first half as both side had few chances but was unable to hold their nerve to turn it in to points. Army with the first threat in the second half 5m lineout, Randika Alwis missed the five points as he unfortunately knocked-on.
Danushka ‘Gertha’ Perera made a stunning run from inside of the 22m and off loaded to the veteran Setefano Cakau. Cakau kicked it deep and it looked marginal as a knock-on but not for the referee. However, it was a foot race between Cakau and Banuka Nanayakkara the Army Center. Banuka holding Cakau without the ball 15m from try line was an easy decision to award a penalty try. Rizah made no mistakes. . (Navy 38 – 03 Army)
Last of the two tries were eye-catching as the Army prop showed his kicking skills with a peach of a grubber on the 22m line, which was well watched and chased by Sashan Mohamed who touched down. However, the main catalyst to make an impact was the Fijian Sanivalati Ramuwai in the second half for the visitors. Ramuwai was sin binned due to a high tackle on Pushpakumara, it was a bit harsh as both the players contested the ball. . (Navy 38 – 08 Army)
Richi Darmapala was impressive last week and also this week as a late replacement as he broke through a dummy and found Bilal Hassan who did the throwing in the initial lineout who made a superb try eventually. Overall Navy played as a unit with a great combination of forwards and three quarters. Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa did not play today and the other highlight was that Nuwan Hettiarachi came from bench in the last 10 minutes, after his ban for testing positive.
Full Time : Navy 43 (T7, C4) – Army 08 (T1, P1)
ThePapare Player of the match – Kalana Amarasinghe Navy) for his outstanding ball carrying rate and defense
