Siri Lions ended a dismal Maliban Rugby League campaign with a narrow 20 (3T, 1C, 1P) – 25 (3T 2C 2P) defeat against Navy Sports Club in the final first round game played at CR & FC Grounds.
The game kicked off with Navy minus long standing fullback and leader Thilina Weerasinghe while Siri Lions had to do without Dulaj Nawodya.
Both teams, without a win this season were eager to end with the all illusive ‘W’ while and the hosts started off on the front foot as it took them just 4 minutes to break the deadlock.
Sri Lanka rep, Nizran Nila added the finishing touches to a move which was sparked by Praneeth Silva. The winger spotted a gaping hole through the centre of the field, as he accelerated through, just being brought down 4-meters short of the try line.
The next phase saw Nizran crash over from close range as he opened the scoring, even though the conversion was missed by Nadun Kaveesha. (SLSC 05-00 Navy)
An error laden first half saw both team batter on at each other, however, neither were able to break down their opponent till the final 10-minutes of the half.
Dilshan Thanuja was at hand to collect a pass from skipper Ganidu, to dive over the line, but this sparked Navy on as they struck through their skipper on the stroke of half time.
Isuru Kongahawatta added the extras as he made it a 3 point game, going into the half time interval.
Half time: Siri Lions 10 (2T) lead Navy Sports Club 07 (1T 1C)
The home team started off the second half in similar fashion to the first, as Siri Lions scored two minutes into the second stanza this time around.
Former Josephian skipper, Teran Karunanayake showed a pair of clean wheels to sprint past two would-be tacklers as he raised in, under the post to put a cushion between the two sides after Nadun’s conversion. (SLSC 17-07 Navy)
From then on though, Navy took control of the game as momentum swung in their favor.
Kongahawatta slotted home a penalty, which saw the deficit cur by to 7-points.
Navy’s third row came to the party as first it was Isuru Perera and then skipper Denuwan Wickramarachchi who scored two tries in quick succession as Kongahawatta’s single conversion meant the Sailors took the lead in the game for the first time. (SLSC 17-22 Navy)
Isuru Kongahawatta slotted over a penalty in the dying embers to put 8-points between the two sides.
Nadun slotted over a to make it a 5-point game but time ran out on the Siri Lions as they completed the League season win-less, giving Navy their first win of the campaign.
Full time: Siri Lions 20 (3T 1C 1P) lost to Navy Sports Club 25 (3T 2C 2P)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Denuwan Wickramarachchi (Navy Skipper)
Points Breakdown:
Siri Lions: Nizran Nila 1T, Dilshan Thanuja 1T, Teran Karunanayake, Nadun Kaveesha 1C 1P
Navy: Denuwan Wickramarachchi 2T, Isuru Perera 1T, Isuru Kongahawatta 2C 2P
 – 25 (3T 2C 2P) defeat against Navy Sports Club in the final first round game played at CR & FC Grounds. ){kind=link}