The clock saves CH from near defeat!

990

CH & FC managed to beat Police SC 29 points to 24 in their final week encounter of the 1st round at Racecourse. It was a thrilling brawl between the forwards as CH led 24 – 10 at lemon’s and prevented the Cops from making a late surge

Leading upfront, CH skipper, Yoshitha Rajapaksha drew first blood 5 minutes into play, after his forwards took the team inside opposition territory. Rajapaksha barged straight through to score, as Samuel Maduwantha followed on adding the extras. It took 10 more minutes for the Gymkhana club to score their second, former Havelock skipper, Jason Melder, showed immense strength after bulldozing his way to the try line. Maduwantha added the extras. The next 15 minutes were dominated by the Cops, as a Kasun Suranga try and a penalty by Yohan Peiris put the Cops up by 10 points bridging the gap, before lemons. (CH 14 – 10 PSC) 

However, speedster Naveen Henakankanamage, managed to extend his side’s lead after scoring a brilliantly worked try in the corner. It was quick hands by the CH lads which led to that score as Maduwantha slotted in the extra two. Just before half time, Police hooker, Rasith Silva was yellow carded, giving Maduwantha another opportunity to add three more points – which he made no mistake of.

Half time: CH led 24 – 10 PSC 

The second half got underway as Sudam Sooriyaarachchi put all his experience into play, reaching out to score an early try in the final half. Unfortunately for them though, the rest of the game was stolen away by Police. Former Josephian, Sachith Silva, scored a terrific try, putting the Cops back in the game. Peiris made no mistake adding the extra two. Holding onto the momentum, Danushka Edirisooriya, touched down for Police with just under 5 minutes of play remaining. Janith Chandimal, lined up to take the conversion as Peiris stood aside, after having missed two penalties earlier on. Chandimal made no mistake as Police inched closer towards the home team in an epic race against time. (CH 29 – 24 PSC) 

Photos : CH & FC v Police SC – DIALOG RUGBY LEAGUE – 2018 / 2019

However, the late surge was a little too late for the Cops as the clock ran out of time. CH managed to force Police to commit an error inside their own red zone, only narrowly escaping from the jaws of defeat.

Full time: CH 29 (4T 3C 1P) – 24 PSC (3T 3C 1P) 

  • ThePapare.com‘s Player of the Match – Sudam Sooriyaarachchi (CH)

Score Breakdown CH
Tries: Yoshitha Rajapaksha, Jason Melder, Naveen Henakankanamage, Sudam Sooriyaarachchi
Conversions: Samuel Maduwantha 3
Penalties: Samuel Maduwantha 

Score Breakdown PSC
Tries: Sachith Silva, Danushka Edirisooriya, Kasun Suranga 
Conversions: Yohan Peiris 2, Janith Chandimal 1 
Penalties: Yohan Peiris 1
Bookings: Rasith Silva