CR pushed to the limit

CR and FC were pushed to the limit by CH and FC before going down by a narrow19 points (1 goal and 4 penalties) to 13 (1 goal and 2 penalties) in their Caltex Segment ‘A’ Division One match played at Maitland Crescent yesterday.

The first 40 minutes could easily be called the ‘half of missed opportunities’ as CR dropped the ball a number of times. On at least four occasions they were in a position to score, but grassed the ball with the touch line staring in their face!

It was a vastly improved display and a radical reduction in unforced errors in the second half that saw them to victory against a CH side that did not give up until the final whistle. After two missed opportunities CR Hooker Senthil Kumar put his side ahead in the eight minute with a well taken penalty. Two minutes later CR’s influential wing three quarter was sin binned for a high tackle on CH and FC’s Jimmy Bolokoro. This seemed to energize the home side and Fly Half Sajith Bandara capitalized on some silly mistakes by his opponents to slot through two penalties. This gave his team a six points to 3 lead at lemons.

Bolokoro meanwhile had his fair share of luck. He redefined the phrase hand off to ‘closed fist off’ which unfortunately was not seen by referee A. Rankothge or his two assistants.

In the second half CR spread the ball wide and managed to hold on to it. In the first few minutes after intense pressure the visitors were awarded a penalty which was converted by Sheriff to level the scores. After ten minutes CR finally breached the home side’s defense with a rather bizarre try. CR won a line out against the head but the ball went to a near a CH player who did not attempt to collect which enabled replacement flanker D. Henry to touch down. Sheriff converted and put over two penalties to give his side a 13 point lead, though he did an easy kick in injury time.

In the dying stages CH launched a wave of attacks which ended with scrum half Roy Nishantha touching down. Bandara added the extra points.

Mid way through the second half there was a small fracas between the two teams and CH and FC’s skipper was given a stern talking to by the referee. Minutes later the home side’s coach Tony Amit was called on to the field to chase away spectators who jumped over the hoardings and were seated near the touch line. This was done at the request of match officials as there were no security personnel visible on or near the field of play.