Upcountry Lions through to Clifford Cup semi finals
Army the Plate winners in the Inter Club League rugby failed to put up a good performance as they were a set of Solders aiming without a direction and leadership lost the game to Upcountry Lions SC by 33 Points (4 Tries, 2 Conversions, 3 Penalties) to 10 Points (1 Try, 1 Conversion, 1 Penalty). This game was played at Havelock Park yesterday in one of the Clifford Cup knock Out Quarter final encounters.At the Short breather it was the Nawalapitiya Club who led 20-3.
Srinath Sooriyabandara played an instrumental role in Upcountry Lions’ win against Army yesterday. - Pic courtesy of SLRFU
The ground condition was excellent with a super sunny afternoon at Havelock Park but sadly the spectator interest was at minimum with a very small crowd enjoying the rugby yesterday evening. Army though played very well in the later part of the League failed to live up to their usual expectations.
They were set of players without direction and leadership. The ball handling was far below standard. They hardly used the good balls to convert into points. Forwards made the bulk of errors which kept the three quarters hungry for the good ball to make run towards the try line.
On the other hand the Upcountry Lions coming in to this game and playing in different conditions to their home in Nawalapitiya settled early and well. Former Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Srinarth Sooriyabandara worked the line at very given opportunity. Their Flanker Dilip Selvam’s moves were a constant occurring where the Solders did not have any answer to avoid. Full Back Rajitha Sansoni too had a grand game with some safe collection and on attack split the Army defense number of times. To add his place kicking was spot on with very good accuracy.Army had a glimmer of hope early in the second half when they played some good rugby. During this time they touched down one try. But this short session did not continue as Upcountry Boys settled in the second half soon afterwards to run away with an easy win in the end.
Rajitha Sansoni of Upcountry Lions SC drew first blood in the third minute of the game through an easy penalty. But Army hit back nine minutes later through Upali Wickramasinghe penalty. Rajitha who had a good day with his boots took Up Country lions further ahead through another neat Penalty.
Five minutes later Scrum Half Srinarth Sooriyabandara dummied his way through the tired Army defense to touch down under the posts. This made Sansoni life easy when he added the 2 extra points. Dilip Selvem who played a good game scored next through a forwards move brushing aside a few defenders. Sansoni once more added the extra 2 points to take “Lemons” at 20-3 favoring the Nawalaiptitya club.
After the turnaround Army scored their only try through Saliya Handapangoda. Upcountry tries were scored by S. Tausui and Sajith Saranga. Sansnoi was on target with one more penalty. Referee: Eron Littlewood from UAE
Touch judges: Dimithra Gunasekera and AC Tenekoon
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