Suranga Kasun (2nd from R) has had an impressive season playing at fullback for the Cops
Police Sports Club finally managed to win a game in the Dialog Rugby League 2017/2018 against Air Force Sports Club after missing an opportunity last week against Havelocks. Police won the encounter 18 (2T, 2C& 2P) points to 12 (2T, 1C) earlier this evening at Police Park.
Police drew first blood from a penalty when Saraka Werella was penalized for holding on to the ball and Sandesh Jayawickrama bisected the uprights with ease. (Police 03-00 Air Force)
Airmen were superlative in the breakdowns and counter attacking rucks was spot on and as a result of it the Airmen had more possession, which led to their first try when Gayantha Iddamalgoda made a long cutout pass to Rumesh Ramadas to score the first try of the game. Charith Senevirathne missed the difficult conversion. (Police 03-05 Air Force)
Airmen had the territorial advantage but Police defence was up to the mark and they finally managed to get the rewards for the superlative defensive work, when they scored from a centre scrum near the 22 meter, where Sandesh Jayawickrama spotted the speedster Suranga Kasun had space outside and passed the ball to him and he was unstoppable for the Airmen. Jayawickrama managed to add the extras too. (Police 10-05 Air Force)
Both teams showed a sense of urgency throughout the first half and as a result of the running game of rugby the teams displayed, knock-on’s and penalties were a frequent part of the game.
Police managed to score again before the break when Jayawickrama made a decision to spread the ball to the corner and Kasun Rajakuruna made a few yards and offloaded the ball at the correct time to the flanker Wajid Fawmy to touch down.
Half Time – Police 15 – 05 Air Force
The Airmen managed to score early in the second half when Ishara Madushan spotted a gap in the Police defence, sprinted and gained over 40 meters and offloaded the ball to scrum half Nuwan Perera to score an important try which opened up this game to an intense battle. Charith Senevirathne reduced the gap from his successful conversion. (Police 15-12 Air Force)
Air Force forwards played the ball close by making hit after hit, trying to breach the Police defence line but unforced errors prevented them from taking the lead but Police managed to add three more points from a penalty by Sandesh Jayawickrama. (Police 18-12 Air Force)
The airmen made a last attempt at scoring where they had possession of the ball for more than 5 minutes but Police defended phases after phases and they were disciplined by not conceding penalties and managed to get the first victory of the season after two disappointing draws.
With this victory Police move to 7th positon on the points table and the Airmen drop to 8th and the final position.
Full Time – Police 18 – 12 Air Force
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Sandesh Jayawickrama (Police SC)
The Score Breakdown
Police SC 18 (15) 2T, 1C, 2P
Tries by Suranga Kasun, Wajid Fawmy
Conversion & penalties (2) by Sandesh JayawickramaAir Force SC 12 (05) 2T, 1C
Tries by Rumesh Ramadas Nuwan Perera
Conversion by Charith Senevirathne
