CR down soldiers

CR & FC made their intentions for the season somewhat clear. They easily beat Army by 32 points (two goals, three tries and one penalty) to 3 (one penalty) in their Caltex Segment ‘A” league trophy rugby match played at Havelock Park yesterday.

The Red Shirts fielded a very young side for much of the game with only players under the age of 25. The fact that this was the first outing for both teams was evident from the kick off. CR and Army were also fielding quite a few fresh faces. This resulted in a lack of cohesive rugby especially in the first half.

As expected the visitors scored when Sri Lankan wing three quarter Mohommad Sheriff sliced through the Army defence for an easy touch down which he converted himself. With just about eight minutes to go for the short whistle Sheriff converted an easy penalty. Just a few minutes later an Army defender dropped the ball right in front of CR’s right winger Dinesh Kumara. Kumara gleefully accepted his early Christmas present to touch down under the posts. Sheriff obliged with the conversion.

Thus CR & FC went in to lemons with a comfortable cushion of 17 points. The problem for them was the scrummage. Their third row was very slow getting the ball out. As a result Army half back P. D. T. Dharshana had no problem in marking his opposite number – lighting quick Amjad Buksh. The line outs were no better with both hookers having an off day as far as accuracy was concerned.

The second half began with Stand Off Kapila Knowlton reducing CR’s lead to 14 points with a penalty conversion in front of the posts. But despite a wave of attacks indecision with the ball in hand and handling errors enabled CR to hold out.

Three tries in the last quarter of the game ensured that the visitors won by a comfortable margin. Two of them were scored by Full Back Ashen Costa. Incidentally his brother Lasantha played as Stand Off. Ashen had a good game overall and his two touch down’s was a just reward. Number Eight Navin Wijetunge who captained Kingswood last year also scored his first try at club level. Sheriff was off target with all three conversion attempts. A. Rankothge was the referee.