Navy’s unbeaten run continues this season with a 33 to 08 victory over the Upcountry Lions in the second round of Dialog rugby league played today at Welisara. Navy won 24-15 in the 1st round.
The Navy kick off went high which was collected well by the Lions which allowed them for an early penalty as Navy puts the hand on ruck. That allowed Sri Lankan 7’s specialist Srinath Sooriyabandara(Soori) to kick in to touch to gain the opposite territory. Lions could have profited on some early fortune but the penalty went a bit wide of the right post. Soori decided to put in to touch instead of going for the post.
Once again the Fijian fire power Stefano Cakou helped Chaturanga to score the first try of the game which was converted by Nuwan Hettiarachi, Stefano has been a great asset for the sailors this season along with Alisi tupuilai. (Navy 07-Lions 00)
After a passage of play, the Lions could not hold on to the ball once again in the opposite 22m, as a result navy capitalized the opportunity working the ball through their line which allowed Dinusha chathuranga score the second try for the Sailors. Nuwan Hettiarachi the man in form converted the two points as the lead moved (Navy 14-Lions 00)
The Lions worked hard to get their first score on the board. Foreign centre Penyazi broke through the defense lines and raced over to the Navy 22 where the y did not have their players in line as they were not organized on that occasion; Soori crossed over for the Lions first points but missed the conversion. (Navy 14-Lions 05)
No sooner the first try had been scored, the Lions chances went a begging yet again in the Navy 22, they had good ball positions could not capitalize. However, Navy not rolling away from the ruck cost them 3more points from a penalty by Nigel Ratwatte and the margin went up to 6. (Navy 14-Lions 08)
A Navy Infringement led the Lions another opportunity to add 3 more points before the lemons from the 40m territory, but the kick from Ratwatte’s boots went wide of the left post.
HALF TIME (Navy 14 – Lions 08)
Speedy start in the early second half by the sailors gained position by thriving in to Up country’s 5m mark. Lions were penalized by the referee and Navy opted for a scrum. No 8 break was unstoppable for the Lions defense as he scored the third try which gave Navy to breathe comfortably. Nuwan hettiarachi ‘s kick lead the sailors. (Navy 21-Lions 08)
In the 65th minute once again Lions losing the ball through Sheshan Mohamed, lost another opportunity of reaching the 22. Navy No 24 accelerated for one more try to and increase their lead. Hettiarachi missed the conversion but Navy was dominating. (Navy 26 – Lions 08)
Bilal Hasan made a great tackle and won the ball on the as ground it was passed to prop forward Swarnathilake (podi) who made some distance running with the ball in their own 22m. His pass to the wing relieved their pressure inside the danger zone. Followed by a ruck Chanaka Chandimal made an absolutely brilliant kick which bounced and went in to touch on opposite 22m. Navy indiscipline in that line out pulling the lifter caused a penalty which Nigel made some good yards from the danger zone.
A few minutes before the last whistle Jason Dissanayake’s passed to Hettiarchchi who steppeds and spun the ball to the No 24, who sprinted to the right corner for his second try and the momentum swings to Navy’s unbeaten run this season. Hettiarachi puts the difficult kick from the corner and remain as the leading points scorer this season. (Navy 33-Lions 08)
Full Time (Navy 33-Lions 08)
Certainly they had a delightful second half however, the remaining 2 matches could be named as the best of the season as Kandy will play in Welisara on the other hand Havies set to host Navy in the last match of the second round.
N:B The Papare crew were pleased with the security provided at Welisara.
