Sri Lions shock CH&FC for maiden Top Division win
Debutants Sri Lions nailed CH&FC 25-21 in an appalling game that transformed into a thriller at the end in a Week 4 encounter of the SLR-MasterCard Club Rugby League at the Racecourse Ground yesterday, recording their first-ever win in the top division of the country’s core domestic competition.
To secure their maiden victory against CH&FC, a century-old club, the Sri Lions scored three tries, two conversions, and two penalties while leading at halftime 10-7. Marred by blunders, CH dominated almost the entire first half despite trailing at its conclusion. They pushed hard to close the narrow gap for a win during the final phase of the game but had to be content with a tally of three converted tries. If not for two of the many penalties they conceded, CH could have scraped through to a victory.
Despite losing lock Sharo Fernando to a yellow card offense in the 17th minute, CH continued to dominate and scored in the 27th minute with a pick-and-go try from flanker Ravindu Anjula, converted by fullback Janith Chandimal, who went on to convert all three tries.
Sri Lions equalized in the 35th minute in a similar fashion after winger Kaveesha Induranga found a breakthrough, giving skipper and fullback Kevin Dixon an easy range to kick. On the brink of halftime, the Sri Lions extended their lead to 10-7 with a penalty by Dixon, putting his team in a comfortable position.
Soon after the resumption, the Sri Lions struck with their second try through flyhalf Chanaka Chandimal, with Dixon’s conversion further expanding the lead to 17-7, putting the hosts under tremendous pressure. CH, however, surged to regain their momentum in the 52nd minute with a well-executed try from their anchorman and lock Nirosh Perera, with Chandimal’s conversion narrowing the gap to 14-17.
CH’s chances of mounting a retaliation were dashed when the Sri Lions extended their lead with an unconverted try from flanker Shehan Dias in the 67th minute and a penalty by Dixon in the 72nd minute, giving them a comfortable 25-14 lead. CH staged a determined fightback with four minutes left on the clock, managing a breakaway try from winger Chamath Kilan, who covered almost the entire field to
score. Chandimal’s conversion brought them closer at 21-25. CH continued their onslaught within the Sri Lions’ 22-meter line in the remainder of the game until luck and time ran out of their reach.