Police after a poor first half performance came back strongly in second half to win against CH & FC 27 points to 17
Things got under way when Apisai Naqaliva kicked off play. First few minutes both teams were pretty untidy with Police especially making too many mistakes on the field. CH & FC on the other hand was getting better as the game progressed. They went on to score their first points in the 5th minute through a penalty which was taken by Rimze Jamaldeen. Police kept on making silly mistakes and they conceded more than 5 penalties in the first 15 minutes of the game. Rimze Jamaldeen took full advantage out of it as he scored his second penalty for the day in the seventh minute. Police bounced back after few minutes as they attacked CH & FC and forced an error through which they were awarded a penalty. It was succesfully taken by Apisai Naqaliva. (Police FC 3 : CH & FC 6)
The Police discipline was pretty bad in the first half. They had their moments in the game where they looked lethal but ultimately the ball was given way easily through some sort of an error. CH & FC on the other hand looked settled and determined to take some points home. They kept on extending their lead as Rimze Jamaldeen scored his third penalty in the 24th minute. Police were down to 14 men when Pawith Yasantha was sent off for “not releasing the tackle” which didn’t help their cause. Rimze went on to score his fourth penalty few minutes before the half time whistle. First half finished with CH & FC leading 12 points to 3. Police conceded too many penalties and CH & FC made full toll out of it.
Half time – CH & FC 12 : Police FC 3
The 2nd half began with CH & FC sensing an easy win over the opposition but Police had other ideas. They came out all guns blazing as Heshan Gunaratne in the very first minute broke through and ran some good yards for them. They certainly looked pumped up after the break. Three minutes into the second half Police finally found their way through after constantly attacking their opponents. Apisai Naqaliva powered his way through the middle and offloaded to Sudam Sooriarachchi who deceived about three players and scored a wonderful try under the post. It was an easy conversion to Apisai Naqaliva. Police wasn’t done yet. They kept on going hard at CH & FC. The frustration was kicking in as CH & FC looked rattled by this second half boost from Police.
Police went on score their second try of the match as Heshan Gunaratne chipped the ball from the 22 meter line and ran himself to collect the ball and score a wonderful try. His speed and talent was too hot to handle. Conversion was yet again succesful by Apisai Naqaliva. Few minutes after, Police scored their third try. The half time talk seemed to have worked as they got better as the game progressed. This time it was Apisai Naqaliva who went over the try line after a good passage of play by the Police line. (Police 22 : CH & FC 12 )
Police was taking the game away from CH & FC. The frustration was kicking in the CH camp as things got spiced up in the field and in the bench. Police had a good crowd as they supported their team right through out the game. In the 60th minute Police scored their fourth try through Randitha Warnapura who ran around the several defenders to score a brilliant try. Police started looking dominant and took the game away from CH & FC with that try in the 63rd minute. Both teams made some changes and put some fresh legs on the field for the final 15 minutes. And it paid off for CH & FC as Saranga Uthpala went on to score a try off a line out in the 71st minute. It was a little too late for visitors. At the final whistle the scoreboard stayed at Police FC 27 : CH & FC 17. Police winning comprehensively.
Full Time : Police 27 (4T, 2C, 1P) – CH&FC 17 (1T, 4P)
ThePapare Player of the match: Heshan Gunaratne (Police SC)
Gunaratne spoke to ThePapare -” I’m really happy with our teams performance and mine. We obviously need to work on our discipline. But overall it was good to win. “
