Navy, a different beast on their own paddock, brushed aside CR & FC to win 21-13 in the Dialog Rugby League match played today at Welisara.
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The game began off the boot of Tarinda Ratwatte in good sunny conditions, suitable for running rugby.
Visitors CR & FC dominated the first few exchanges of the game but failed to make the dominance show on the score board.
Navy came out unscathed and struck against the tide as No.8 Nivanka Prasad opened the scoring for the hosts. CR & FC undid Navy at the breakdown but knocked on unfortunately, Nivanka Prasad broke well from the resulting scrum as he bulldozed his way to the try line with three CR defenders on his back. Thilina Weerasinghe added the extras to make it a seven point ball game. (Navy 07-00 CR)
CR did not let the hosts settle down, as the visitors registered their first score from the resulting kickoff. CR collected the restart and attacked ferociously and they were awarded a penalty as the Sailors defensive line was caught offside. Riza Mubarak made easy work as he slotted home to cut the deficit. (Navy 07-03 CR)
Navy centre Lahiru Herath was sin binned as he charged down Riza Mubarak illegally.
The illegal charge down penalty was awarded to CR from where the ball landed. CR decided to take a swipe at goal from 40 meters out as Riza Mubarak landed the penalty with ease as he took his side to half time with a solitary point difference. (Navy 07-06 CR)
Half time: Navy 07 (1T, 1C) lead CR & FC 06 (2P)
CR & FC began the second half as the brighter of the two sides but lacked the finishing touches on a couple of occasions.
Similar to the first half, Navy SC struck against the tide this time through Lahiru Herath. The outside centre picked the ball off a ruck and made a dash towards the try line leaving the opposition fullback in a heap. Thilina Weerasinghe was on target yet again to extend the hosts leads. (Navy 14-06 CR)
The game was spicing up as CR was left to ponder on how they are to break the Navy wall of defence.
Navy inflicted yet another blow on CR as the visitors discipline started to fall apart. The CR player put a foot out of the dead ball line as he fielded the moving ball but referee Irshad Cader said otherwise and he awarded a 5 meter scrum to the hosts. Three phases following the scrum, replacement forward Charith Silva toppled his way as he dived over the white wash to score for Navy and put the game out of reach for CR. Thilina kept his 100% kicking record successfully kicking over the conversion. (Navy 21-06 CR)
With the game out of their reach, CR managed to string a few phases together and put the hosts under a bit of pressure in the dying embers of the game.
The pressure yielded penalties and penalties yielded points as a quick tap and two passes later replacement wing three quarter Shashan Mohomed dived over. Riza Mubarak converted the try to draw the curtain down on the second week of the Dialog Rugby League. (Navy 21-13 CR)
Full time: Navy 21 (3T, 3C) beat CR & FC 13 (1T, 1C, 2P)
Thepapare.com man of the match – Dulanjana Wijesinghe (Navy hooker)
Post match Dulanjana expressed his views on the game. “We had a tough game against a tough opposition, we didn’t take it easy we stuck to the basics and that’s what brought about this win. We need improvement on the breakdown, ball handling and line out and if we polish them I think we are in good hands for the matches ahead”
Finally when asked about his performance in the game. “I wasn’t that satisfied with how I performed, I could do better but I’m very happy with the win”
Points breakdown
Navy SC
Tries – Nivanka Prasad, Lahiru Herath, Charith Silva.
Conversions – Thilina Weerasinghe 3CR & FC
Tries – Shashan Mohomed
Conversion – Riza Mubarak
Penalties – Riza Mubarak 2
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS: Navy SC v CR & FC
