Winless Navy SC hosted Sri Lions at Welisara in a Week 7 clash of the Mastercard Club Rugby League 2024/25. Although the visitors dominated the proceedings during the first half, the hosts made a brilliant comeback during the second half which unfortunately was not enough at the end. The final scoreline of the fixture was 33-39
Aaron Perera opened the scoring for the visitors with an early try as Chanaka Chandimal converted it. Sri Lions then kept calling the shots in the fixture as Navy SC were inconsistent. Dulaj Nawodya then found the whitewash through a driving maul to increase the lead for the visiting newbies as the stand-in skipper added the extras (SRL 14 – 00 NSC)
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Sri Lions scored a third consecutive try through Prasath Madushanka as Sri Lions used the driving maul off line-out just 5m away from the try line. Chandimal added the extras again to further increase their lead. Few minutes before half-time, Navy SC who were trying to mount a comeback paid the price for passing long close to their own 22m line when Kaveesha Iduranga intercepted and went all the way to give Sri Lions the bonus points inside the first half. Chandimal kept his 100% kicking record alive to solidify their dominance (SRL 28 – 00 NSC)
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The sailors finally found something to cheer for as they scored a try in the last play before lemons. Denuwan Wickramarachchi touched down for the try while former skipper Thilina Weerasinghe converted it. Although Navy found some momentum just before the half-time whistle, the advantage was well and truly with the visitors (SRL 28 – 07 NSC)
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Half-Time : Sri Lions 28 – 07 Navy SC
10 minutes into the second half, the sailors scored another try thanks to Imanka Ishara’ brilliance. After receiving the ball off a lineout, he dashed to the whitewash evading defenders for fun as the home team continued to find their feet. Weerasinghe added the 2 points to inject more confidence. However, just a few minutes later Navy conceded a penalty on their 22m line as Sri Lions opted for the points and Chandimal kicked it through (SRL 31 – 14 NSC)
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Navy found some life once again when Weerasinghe scored a phenomenal try from the left corner of the field to begin the last quarter of play. Although he missed the conversion from a hard angle, the Sailors were once again back in the game thanks to his superb effort. Apoorva Weerasinghe took his team into touching distance with Sri Lions scoring a try right under the posts which made life easier for Weerasinghe as well with the conversion (SRL 31 – 26 NSC)
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Sri Lions managed to create some breathing space once again when Anuradha Silva scored a try off a well executed line-out where he used the short side surprising the Navy defense. Although the conversion didn’t go over, the lead was back to 10 points for the visitors. Navy Sports Club knew they needed a score to stay alive in the game and the motivation probably created the best forwards play of the game from them as they kept hitting hard and kept the play flowing without giving possession away. To finish things off skipper Stephan Gregory found the whitewash and Weerasinghe kicked the conversion through (SRL 36 – 33 NSC)
Navy SC were desperate as the time was running out for them and unfortunately conceded a penalty which Anuradha Silva slotted through for Sri Lions. With the 6 point difference, Navy now needed a converted try which they couldn’t find as the clock ran out giving Sri Lions a second win in the season (SRL 39 – 33 NSC)
Sri Lions dominated the proceedings during the first half but probably took the game too casually from there onwards as Navy Sports Club almost pulled off a heist. The Sailors were motivated and looked like a different unit in the 2nd half and the same intensity would’ve done a world of good for them during the previous weeks.
Chanaka Chandimal who took over the captaincy reigns and the kicking duties as well from an injured Kevin Dixon was instrumental throughout the game with adding the extras and decision making as he was named ThePapare Player of the Match.
Full Time : Sri Lions 39 (5T 4C 2P) defeated Navy SC 33 (5T 4C)
ThePapare Player of the Match : Chanaka Chandimal (SRL)
Points Breakdown
Sri Lions : Chanaka Chandimal 11 (4C 1P) Dulaj Navodya 5 (1T) Prasath Madushanka 5 (1T) Aaron Perera 5 (1T) Kaveesha Iduranga 5 (1T) Anuradha Silva 8 (1T 1P)
Navy SC : Thilina Weerasinghe 13 (1T 4C) Stephan Gregory 5 (1T) Denuwan Wickramarachchi 5 (1T) Imanka Ishara 5 (1T) Apoorva Weerasinghe 5 (1T)
