CR squeeze through Police;
Rimzi Jamaldeen, the Police fly-half must be kicking his heels! He missed a 45 metre penalty in the last minute which could have given Police victory. As a result CR&FC nosed through to a 30 points (5 tries, one goal and a penalty) to 29 (4 tries, three goals and a penalty) in their return Dialog League Division ‘A’ rugby encounter at the Race Course rugby grounds yesterday. At half time CR led 20-10.
At the Havelocks ground under floodlights Havelocks recorded a 47-22 win over Air Force in another second round game after leading 28-10 at lemons. Havelocks got their points through 7 tries and six conversions. Air Force’s points came up on the board with three tries, two conversions and a penalty.
CR opened scoring in the fifth minute with foreign player Malneek Robbie, playing in the last line of defence scored by the left corner flag with a fine movement. Kanchana Ramanayake failed with the conversion. CR-5; Police-0.
Rimsi Jamaldeen put over a penalty for Police to reduce CR’s lead to 3-5. Three minutes later Kanchana put over an easy penalty for CR to put them ahead at 8-3. Police surged into the lead next when Sudam Suriyarachchi scored a try and Rimsi Jamaldeen was on target with a conversion. This put Police in the lead at 10-8.
CR&FC’s Ishan Noor makes a break with the Police offering stiff resistance - Pic by Ranjith Perera
In the 24th minute CR scored through a penalty try S Kanchana to put the Red Shirts ahead at 15-10.One minute before half time CR winger Rochana Hettiarachchi made a break and burst through to score an unconverted try. CR led 20-10 at the breather. Early in the first half Referee Priyantha Gunaratne gave a yellow card to Police No 8. Seru Filimoni.
Police scored on resumption when Radeesha Seneviratne touched down. Rimsi Jamaldeen converted. CR led 20-17 at this stage. CR increased their lead when No 8. Faumi Joshep barged through a five yards scrum to score an unconverted try. CR led 25-17 at this juncture. Four minutes later Kanchana touched down for CR for an unconverted try CR-30. Police -17.
In the 61st minute of the game Police center Apisai Naqaliva made a break and sped through to score giving Rimsi Jamaldeen an easy kick at goal. Police-24; CR-30. In the 74th minute Police full back Eranda Weerakkody touched down by the corner flag for an unconverted try. CR-30; Police-29. In the dying moments came Jamaldeen’s penalty which he fluffed to give CR victory at 30-29.