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Army bombards CH
Army 30 - CH & FC 13
By Rangi Akbar
Sri Lanka Army gave a near perfect display to rout the CH&FC 30-13 in the Caltex Premier League rugby encounter at Galle Face yesterday. CH were never in the lead at any stage and they could have sung 'Please Release Me', long before Humpedink's show last night as the soldiers had the CH in a grip of steel with their unrelenting play.

Army could have doubled the score if their three-quarters had handled the ball better. They dropped passes at crucial stages and the times that they worked the ball, players ran into a solid wall of defence.

CH tried a few dummy passes in the early stages but they ran into the pack and the movements broke down even before they could have started. It was a good win for the Army. They have gone one better after the victory. They have now to look forward to the battle against Kandy which the CH succumbed to about a month ago.

Army's full back T.A. Silva who contributed 18 points towards Sri Lanka's victory over Thailand in an Asian Group rugby qualifier in Thailand last week, was a source of strength to the Soldiers with his kicks. He was also solid in defence driving away many CH attempts to score with his safe handling and kicks to touch.

Overall, however, it was easy to see that solid coaching and fitness had a lot to do with Army's success yesterday. In the 14th minute Army drew blood when winger Duminda scored far right. Kaila Knowlton received the ball and he executed a neat overhead kick and Duminda was behind it like a hare to collect and score. T.A. Silva added the extra points with ease.

In the 22nd minute Harsha Wijeweera attempted a 40 metre penalty for CH which went astray. Army's reply to this was a 25 metre penalty by T.A.Silva. Army led 10-0. Just before lemons CH struck back with a try by Niroshan Ekanayake which cut down Army's lead to 5-10.

CH showed signs of making a game of it but they lacked direction. It was clear that they lacked fitness as well. CH winger Dinesh Kumara was 'sin binned' for a late tackle on Army's star player T.A. Silva.

Then came a showpiece try of the game when Army's No 8 Suranga made a break and Lankatilleke darted after it to collect and score far right. T.A. Silva missed the conversion.

CH fought back undaunted and put over a penalty through Harshana Wijeweera.. (Army 15. CH 8). Army's next point was a drop goal when No. 10 Kumara booted the ball with ease to give Army an 18-8 lead. Then came a try by winger Ekanayake who scored after a short burst. This was the signal for tries by Lankatilleke and Duminda which saw Army surge ahead at 30-13. Referee Dilroy Fernando.

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