Police prevail over Army
View(s):Police Sports Club defeated a rudderless Army outfit, in their Dialog Division ‘A’ League Club Rugby second round game, worked out at Police Park yesterday. At the short whistle Police led 15-10.
The Cops were impressive in their effort to beat the Soldiers - Pic by Amila Gamage
The Cops collected their winning points from two goals, two tries and a penalty to the loser’s two goals and a penalty. This was the final game for both sides in the league 2015/2016.
Prior to the game a lot was expected from the Army XV, to offer a closely contested game and to prevail at the end. Army is a side that impressed quite a lot in the season, and they lost many close matches. In the first round game against the Police at Diyagama, Army did well to lose the game by mere two points 45-47.Their performance in the return game, yesterday however was far below par.
On the other hand Police with the return of Bilal Hassan to man the number eight position made a huge difference. He made some daring breaks and went over to score two tries as well. With his inclusion Police ‘eight’ played as a total unit and never allowed the Army forwards to dictate terms.
In the early minutes of the game, Army made their intentions very clear with a cracking try by their inside center Victor Pradeep that caught the Police defence napping. Full back Gayan Salinda made the conversion. Then in the 20th minute of the game, Salinda fluffed a penalty for Army, 25- metres out on the right flank.
In the 25th minute, Police reduced the lead with a 35-metre penalty from their full back Riza Mubarak .( 3-7)
Then Bilal Hassen, made one of his trade mark tries from a maul to roll over. Mubarak ‘s conversion went astray. Police leading 8-7.
Soon afterwards Army took the lead again with a penalty from Salinda 35-metres out. (10-8)
Minutes before the ‘lemons’, Police half back Sudam Parinda, made an intrepid break, dummied several defenders to score under the post. Mubarak made the conversion 15-10.
In the 30th minute of the second half Police backline scored peach of a try to take the game away from the Army. After a break from the mid field by Hassan, he passed the ball to inside center Ijaz Bohoran in turn he passed to wing Reza Raffaideen, to run good 30 metres and score under the post. Mubarak converted 22-10.
Hassan then scored his second try of the match which went unconverted. In the dying stages of the game Army deputy skipper Manoj Silva scored off a rolling maul which was converted by Salinda. Referee: Priyantha Fernando.
The notable factor is how Referee Fernando was appointed to blow the whistle in this game. For the 2015/2016 rugby season, the Referees’ Society has not included his name to officiate any Division ‘A’ club game.