Police Sports Club secured their first win of the season with a hard-fought 23-20 victory over Navy Sports Club in a thrilling fifth-week fixture of the Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 at the Navy Grounds in Welisara.
Two teams, desperate for their first win of the season, went head-to-head as Yehan Bulathsinghala kicked off the game. The first 15 minutes remained scoreless, but the deadlock was broken when Denuwan Wickramarachchi caused a crucial turnover for Navy. With Police on the attack and a rolling maul in motion, Wickramarachchi seized the opportunity, sprinting 50 meters to bring play close to the 22-meter line. Quick hands from the Navy backs created space, allowing center Senura Pieris to power over the line under the posts. Isuru Kongahawatta added the conversion with ease, giving Navy a perfect start. (Navy 07 – 00 Police)
Police responded immediately, choosing to set up a scrum near the 5-meter line and using their forwards to inch closer to the try line with a series of pick-and-drives. Quick thinking from Naveen Kansihka saw him make a timely offload to Udaya Sanjula, who powered over to score for Police. A few minutes later, Police employed a similar strategy, opting for a scrum following a penalty. However, this time, they shifted focus to their backs. Quick, precise hands created an overlap, allowing Yehan Bulathsinghala to touch down in the corner, giving Police the lead.
Half-Time: Navy SC 07 (1T, 1C) – Police SC 10 (2T)
Police kicked off the scoring in the second half when Hirantha Perera swiftly took a quick tap after being awarded a penalty. He sent the ball wide, and eventually, the powerful prop forward Amjad Faumy bulldozed through two Navy defenders to score their third try. After missing two earlier conversions, Yehan Bulathsinghala made no mistake this time, adding the extras to extend Police’s lead. (Navy 07 – 17 Police)
Navy finally found some momentum, continuously pressing forward as Police’s defense conceded an offside penalty. Isuru Kongahawatta calmly slotted the penalty, keeping Navy’s hopes alive. However, Police quickly restored their 10-point lead when Yehan Bulathsinghala confidently nailed a 40-meter penalty, extending their advantage once again. (Navy 10 – 20 Police)
Despite conceding the three points, Navy continued to pile on the pressure as Police gave away a series of penalties in quick succession. The situation worsened for Police when their scrum-half, Premesh Danushka, was shown a yellow card. Navy took full advantage of the numerical superiority when Chirantha Kaluarachchi broke through the Police defense, making significant inroads. Quick hands from the Navy backs then sent Dinesh Lakmal over for a crucial try, cutting the deficit in half and bringing Navy back into the game. (Navy 15 – 20 Police)
Navy had the momentum, but they undid their efforts by conceding unnecessary penalties during their defensive phase. Yehan Bulathsinghala made no mistake, adding an easy three points to extend Police’s lead to 8, meaning Navy now needed two scores to take the game. (Navy 15 – 23 Police)
In the dying stages, Navy’s forwards put up a determined effort, relentlessly attacking with a series of pick-and-goes. Replacement flanker Sajith Seram eventually powered over the line for a try. However, it came too late, as that was the final play of the match. Police held on to clinch their maiden victory of the season.
Full Time: Navy SC 20 (3T,1C,1P) – Police SC 23 (3T,1C,2P)
Player of the Match: Yehan Bulathsinghala (Police SC)
Points Breakdown
Navy SC 20
Senura Pieris 1T,Dinesh Lakmal 1T, Sajith Seram 1T, Isuru Kongahawatta 1C,1P
Police SC 23
Udaya Sanjula 1T, Amjad Faumy 1T, Yehan Bulathsinghala 1T,1C,2P
