Despite letting an early lead slip, CH&FC made a late rally to steal a 16 (two tries, two penalties) to 14 (two goals) win over traditional rivals CR&FC, during their ‘Chuckers’ rugby game at Longden place yesterday.
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| CH&FC tightning up their defence during the latter part of the match. Pic by Amila Prabodha. |
Parakrama Ratnayake and Chaminda Herath crossed over the line for CH, while the try scorers for CR were Chilanka Samarawickrema and Hashthika Bandara.
Both teams got off to sluggish starts with play being chiefly restricted to the middle of the field due to a stream of unforced errors. However, it was CH who found their footing first, with Anushka Uppala thumping over a penalty in the 2nd minute of the first quarter.
He found the target again with another in the 7th minute of the second quarter to give his team a cushion which they were content to sit back on. They were forced to change their tactics though when CR suddenly burst into life in the third quarter. The passes that, up until that point, had been fumbled started to stick and threateningly incisive plays gradually began to materialise. This led to CR’s first try in the 7th minute. Samarawickrema found himself at the end of another well-constructed play and swiftly propelled himself through traffic and over the line to score. Sajith Bandara was on the mark with the conversion to give CR an unexpected 7-6 lead.
The shock seemed to tell on CH’s defence, which was suddenly riddled with openings. Bandara promptly capitalised on this with another well-worked try. Once again Bandara converted to make it 14-6.
With the signs looking ominous, CH suddenly rediscovered their early form. With stout tackling, they stole back the lion’s share of possession and the consistent pressure yielded a try right at the end of the third from Ratnayake. Prasad Perera was unable to convert though.
CH came out for the fourth quarter rejuvenated, and even though they were down 11-14, looked to be in control of the game. They finally established their comeback when, in the 16th minute of the fourth quarter, Herath pounded his way over the try line to secure victory. |
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