Player of the Match Tomasi Caqusau scored twice, inspiring Army Sports Club to a 26-all draw against highflying Police Sports Club, ending the first round of the Dialog Rugby League for the two teams.
Both teams made three changes heading into the final fixture of week one. Sudaraka Dikkubura notably returned to the run on XV for the hosts, while Udara Suriyapperuma, Janith Chanaka and Iroshan Silva all missed out through injury as the Police SC fielded a slightly inexperienced outfit for this crucial game.
The visitors harboured hopes of making a push for second place while Army entered with nothing to lose, aiming to push Police all the way.
Police dominated the early exchanges with two tries from former Josephian Sachith Silva. Fijian sensation Emosi Vunivosa set up the first with a sublime off-load, sending the winger through.
The second was a gift as Silva picked the pocket of his opponent, intercepting a cut-out pass from Ashan Bandara to go under the post untouched.
Nalin Kumara made easy work of both conversions, as Police took an early 14-point lead fifteen minutes into the game. (Army 00-14 Police)
Ashan Bandara made amends for his early error, sending over Dhanushka Thalwatta as Vunivosa was sent to the bin for a high shot.
Moments later, Tomasi Caqusau leaped highest, collecting a bouncing ball on his way to the try line to as the hosts completed their comeback. Sachin Gamage made no mistake with either conversion, with Police playing with 14-men. (14-All)
Vunivosa returned just as Police returned to their full complement; however, Army upped the tempo as Police struggled to stay on par with the host.
Lahiru Pavithra saw yellow for blocking a kick chaser as the visitors were reduced to 14-men again on the half hour mark, leaving his team in a vulnerable state.
Caqusau powered through the Police defence, carrying 6 cops on his way to the white-wash as the home side made the maximum of the opportunity received by numerical advantage. Ashan Bandara assumed kicking duties, making no mistake as Army lead for the first time in the game. (Army 21-14 Police)
Police scrapped their way to the try line thanks to more Vunivosa magic as the Fijian played a pivotal role in the third try for his team.
Vihanga Pavithra was the beneficiary with the centre being at hand to collect and dot down on the stroke of half time, because there was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the first 40.
Half Time: Army Sports Club 21 (3T 3C) level with Police Sports Club 21 (3T 3C)
The second half lacked action compared to the first, as both teams seemed to play it safe with their sights set on a win.
Sudaraka Dikkubura scored with his first touch in the second half as Army worked their potent backline, leaving Kasun Suranga and his fellow three-quarters in the dust.
Sri Lanka representative Dikkubura beat Suranga as he dived over in the corner to snatch the lead back, even though Bandar failed with the touchline conversion, with it being in favour of the home side. (Army 26-21 Police)
Police scored their first of the second half through Danushka Edirisuriya, with the big prop forward powering through the Army defence to score, as the home team were reduced a man.
Sachith Silva failed with the crucial conversion knowing he could have gotten a 2-point lead, as the game was tied once again with close to 20 minutes left on the clock. (26-All)
Five minutes later, fullback Sachin Gamage saw yellow for a late shot on his opposite number as Police were once again playing with an extra man on the field.
Both teams tightened up their defences as Army and Police both huffed and puffed to no avail – neither team could break each other.
The stiffened-up defences continued to hold out on each other as both teams played out a cliff-hanger of draw, leaving both teams’ place on the table susceptible to chasing Havelocks and Navy.
The Pinks host the defending champions at the Park, while Navy travel to Longdon Place to play out against CR & FC.
Full Time: Army Sports Club 26 (4T 3C) draw with Police Sports Club 26 (4T 3C)
Dialog Viu Player of the Match: Tomasi Caqusau (Army)
Points Breakdown:
Army: Tomasi Caqusau 2T, Dhanushka Thalwatta 1T, Sudaraka Dikkubura 1T, Sachin Gamage 2C, Ashan Bandara 1C
Police: Sachith Silva 2T, Vihanga Pavithra 1T, Danushka Edirisuriya 1T, Nalin Kumara 3C
Cautions: Emosi Vunivosa (Police) Yellow Card, Lahiru Pavithra (Police) Yellow Card, Manjula Weerasinghe (Army) Yellow Card, Sachin Gamage (Army) Yellow Card
