After a controversial last game Air Force SC with a fine come back drew themselves to a win at Rathmalana Air Force grounds today when the CH & FC defence was torn apart with some spectacular rugby by the Air Force players.
The second round match of the Dialog Club Rugby League 2013/2014 for the Plate between CH & FC and Air Force SC was kicked off sharp at 4.00 pm as scheduled at Rathmalana Air Force grounds today.
When luck failed to play it`s part during the last game which was called off due to a brawl the Air Force SC was in hunger for a win at their home grounds against the visiting team CH & FC.
Seven minutes after the kick off Air Force SC was awarded a penalty to draw first blood of the game which the Captain Senevirathene failed to accomplish. Luck playing it`s part on Air Force SC brought them another penalty just three minutes after the first and yet again Captain Senevirathene failed. It was indeed a pity to see Air Force as they couldn`t help the ball to sail through the uprights at their own home venue.
CH taking the early advantage of Air Force missing the penalties, center Kztutu Pola drew apart the Air Force defence at the fourteenth minute and laid the ball on the left corner and helped CH to bag their first points for the day. Later converted and it put CH in the lead as 7-0. (Air Force -00 CH & FC – 07)
Just a few minutes after CH went right across to the left corner and touched the line to score another try at the 25th minute which was converted and put them on the lead ahead by fourteen points. (Air Force – 00 CH & FC – 14)
The game was heating up and pressure was building on the Air Force boys when the CH players sailed through their defence line. But with a fine come back at the thirty-sixth minute Air Force scored their first points for the day and this time Captain Senevirathene made no mistake in sailing the ball through and converting to reduce the lead to seven points. (Air Force – 07 CH & FC -14)
Seconds before the half time CH & FC was awarded a penalty by luck which Viraj Hewage scored off with a beautiful kick and bought the game in to a break for half time by increasing the CH lead back to ten points. (Air Force – 07 CH & FC – 17)
At Half Time scores read as Air Force – 07 CH & FC – 17)
Air Force had to implement new strategies to prevent a defeat at their home venue and find touch of the game when CH players were playing at their best.
Second half of the game kicked off and six minutes later to the off of the second half Air Force with a spectacular come back laid the ball on the right corner of the home lawn to reduce the lead which bought them right back in the game when Captain Senevirathene converted the try. (Air Force – 14 CH & FC – 17)
With Air Force closing in and reducing the lead up to just three points CH had to come back with a new strategy to save the game falling apart from their hands, which they succeeded at the sixtieth minute when CH was awarded a penalty to raise up the lead to six points. (Air Force – 14 CH & FC – 20).
The game was inches away for a nail biting end when the Air Force hooker Lahiru Udayanga displayed his ball and foot skills and slipped right through the CH defence for a try right under the post which was indeed a beauty and Captain Senevirathene converting it put the home team on the lead for the first time. (Air Force 21 CH & FC – 20)
The Rathmalana lads finding the touch of the game went hard at the CH players which the slightest mistake of the CH players would award a penalty to the home team. Captain Senevirathene making no mistake of the penalty awarded at seventy second minute of the game put Air Force upfront ahead. (Air Force – 24 CH & FC – 20)
Applying the home advantage, the Air Force winger Eranda Ranaweera scored off a quick try at the left corner of ground with brilliant speed on display after working out the line which managed to release the Air Force from pressure. Conversion failed. (Air Force – 29 CH – 20)
The last try of the game was scored off by Air Force and Captain Senevirathene despite the early game failures kicked the ball for a successful conversion in bringing full value to the final try. (Air Force – 36 – CH & FC – 20)
With two quick tries at the end Air Force managed to steal the victory out of CH & FC and registered a win of Thirty Six Points to Twenty against CH & FC at their home venue.
It was good game of rugby with immense talent displayed by both sides which made it a thrilling game for the supporters with all the credit to Air Force for a good team game.
Full Time – Air Force – 36 CH & FC – 20
ThePapare`s Player of the Match – Air Force Hooker Lahiru Udayanga for a brilliant try scored off with immense ball skills and foot skills to bring the game back home.
