Navy power play too much for Army
Sri Lanka Navy turned in a fine performance to drub the Sri Lanka Army by 43 points (7 tries, 4 goals) to 8 (1 try, 1 penalty) in the Dialog Premier League second round rugby clash at Welisara yesterday. At the breather Navy led 31-3. In the first round game Navy registered a 48-3 win over Army.
Former Navy skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa at the sideline
Navy were right on top and in the ninth minute when winger Vishvamithra Jayasinghe scored by the left corner flag and full back Riza Mubarak missed the conversion. Navy led 5-0 at this stage. In the 13th minute Army reduced the lead when full back Gayan Salinda put over penalty. (Navy 5. Army 3).
Navy scored next when centre Leo, a Fijian player, touched down by the left corner flag for an unconverted try. Sajith Saranga, who turned out for Kandy SC last year, who is now playing for the Navy, figured prominently when he side stepped through a host of defenders
A Navy player tries to barge through a host of Army players – Pix by Ranjith Perera
and scored mid left. This was converted by Riza Mubarak. (Navy lead 17-3).
Navy struck again – this time through their foreign player Fuapau Halafihi, (who was playing at No.8) scored by the right corner flag and Mubarak was on target with the conversion to put Navy ahead at 24-3.Vishvamithra Jayasinghe, the former Isipathana winger showed a clean pair of heels for Navy next when he sprinted through unchallenged off a three-quarter move to score far left. Mubarak converted and Navy enjoyed a 31-3 lead at halftime.
Shortly after the half way mark Referee Aruna Rankothge awarded a penalty try for the Navy for an infringement. This put the Sailors firmly ahead at 38-3.
Army was in the thick of things next when Mohammed Sashan scored their first try by the right corner flag which was unconverted. Navy 38. Army 8.
Navy’s Bilal Hasan, who was in the reserve bench, came into the scene and scored next. Riza Mubarak fluffed with the conversion.