Sports

There was a lot of hype as usual. But once again the awaited local derby between CH and FC and CR and FC failed to live up to its billing. In a scrappy game CR easily beat CH by 18 points (1 goal, 1 try and 2 penalties) to 8 (1 try and 1 penalty). This was in their Caltex powered Cup rugby match played at Maitland Crescent yesterday.

The home side missed a reliable place kicker with Saliya Kumara clearly not having his favourite boots on. In fact after being the hero two weeks ago, he was one of the villains yesterday. In only the fifth minute of play Kumara missed a shot at goal. Two minutes later CR made CH pay with centre Mohamed Sheriff putting over a penalty. About eight minutes later CR’s new scrum half Amjad Buksh showed why he is the first choice for Sri Lanka. Given a penalty eight metres out Bulsh took a quick short tap and passed. He received the return pass and gleefully touched down. Sheriff converted.

Kumara reduced the lead in the 35th minute with an easy penalty. But once again CR hit back with Ravindra Wekadapola after Kumara had scuffed his clearance kick. At lemons the visitors led by a commanding 15 points to 3. The second half saw both teams squandering possession with needless kicking and bad ball handling. Buksh converted a penalty for CR while Mathisha Silva touched down for CH.

Yet again the referee was a wee to whistle happy. He did not help the flow of game. In addition both hookers had a forgettable outing. CR’s Viraj Prasanna and CH’s Achala Perera were guilty of sending in a crooked throw or hurling the ball over the heads of their respective second rowers.

It may well come as a big disappointment for CH who had played well in their previous two games. They now face the daunting task of rebuilding ahead of their next game against the reigning champs Kandy which is scheduled for next Saturday.