CR break loose in second half to post a big win
CR overcame a scrappy, below-par initial half to comeback strongly in the second and ultimately run out comfortable winners by 35 points (3 goals, 1 try, 3 penalties) to 15 points (1 goal, a try and a penalty) over Army SC at Longdon Place, yesterday.
(CR&FC 35: 15 ARMY ) CR&FC lock and skipper Ishan Noor charges through the Army barricade - Pic by Amila Gamage
CR were sucked into Army’s game plan and faltered badly. CR fullback Prince Chamara opened their account with a penalty, but after that it was all Army till lemons which they took leading 10-6.
Ashan Bandara – the Army fly-half fell over after fighting his way through. Fullback Gayan Salinda, who had an excellent game, converted and Army led 7-3.
Play hovered around the half line inside CR territory for quite a while. CR was trying to break through, but the soldiers threw themselves at the attackers and scuttled their moves.
As a result of the Army’s over exuberance they conceded a couple of penalties. Prince Chamara converted one of them to make it 7-6. Gayan Salinda now succeeded with a penalty kick, the ball grazing the inside of the upright (10-6).
Offered a penalty close to the line early in the second half, CR opted for a kick at goal and Prince Chamara made it 10-9.
Gayan Salinda then joined the line and burst down the left flank to touch down far left. He seemed to have no wind left for the conversion.
CR’s forwards and backs now combined in a sweeping move on the right-flank. Jason Dissanayake cut through and switched the ball to winger Melanka Pramodya who did the rest. Chamara’s conversion put CR in front (16-15).
There followed another good move by the CR backs. The ball was kicked across to the right corner flag where the winger touched down with the Army defence in tatters. (21-15)
A long pass to the second centre Rochana Hettiarachchi saw him blaze through the defence and hand over to Mekalanka Pramoda to put the finishing touches.
This effort of Pramodya (his second) was converted by Chamara and CR had opened a big gap. (28-15) Sasanka Ariyaratne who came in mid-way I this half then rounded off a smart move. Prince Chamara converted to make the final score 35-15.
Once in front, the CR seemed a different team. The discovery of their rhythm and fluency saw them indulge in some eye catching moves. The Army, sadly seemed to have shot their bolt by the middle of the second half.