Seahorses maroon Soldiers to take Div ‘C’ title
Each of the halves belonged to either sides, but eventually Navy Seahorses took real advantage of their dominance - Pic by Amila Gamage
The Navy ‘Seahorses’, coming from behind in the second half, defeated a fighting Army ‘Maroons’ outfit, to clinch the ‘C’ division title in a hotly contested fixture played at Air Force grounds, Ratmalana yesterday. At the final whistle Navy came on top by 13 points to 10. At ‘lemons’, the ‘Maroons’ led 10-0. The Army team mainly represented by the Commando regiment, held sway in the first half with some attacking moves from the first whistle itself rattling their opponents. They looked the superior side with the fitness level better than their opponents. In the first half both sides tried to penetrate each others half, with sleek back line moves by their hard running wings.
In the 20th minute of the game, Army was offered a penalty 25 metres out due to an Navy infringement. Fullback Meegama put the first points on the board for Army. ‘Maroons’ leading 3-0. Then four minutes later, Navy had a chance of breaking the ‘ice’. But Fullback Ruwan Buddhika fluffed it. With both sides fiercely contesting for the ball, it ensued with a yellow card for the Navy wing Gayan Anurudda for foul play by the referee. In the 35th minute of the game, Navy fullback Buddhika fluffed another 25 metre penalty with his kick sailing too far from the right post. Finally minutes before the half time, the Army backline went into action, after Army won a line out in Navy ’22′.
‘Maroons’ skipper cum center Dhammika, who had a good game made a break sent his wing Kumara to touch down under the post. Meegama converted and Army led 10-0. In the second half it was a total different game, with ‘Sea Horses’ playing a better game. Their forwards and the back line blending well unsettled their opponents on many occasions. In the 5th minute of the second half, Navy had a chance of reducing the lead. The 35-metre penalty kick by their center Dinuka Mendis lacked direction. Eight minutes later, Navy after several incursions into their opponents territory, had success at last with their forwards carrying on the ball with metres away from the opponents white line. From the ensuing maul, Navy half back Eranga de Silva sneaked into touch down.
Mendis made the conversion correctly and Navy trailing 7-10. With the game contested hotly by both opposing sides, it ensued with another yellow card given to Army second row forward Jayaweera. Then in the 20th minute of the second half, Navy made the equaliser with a 35-metre penalty by Mendis. Army too had a chance of increasing the lead five minutes later, but Meegama fluffed it. But then minutes before the final whistle, due to a ‘Maroons’ infringement, Navy made the match winning penalty kick. Mendis booted the 35-metre penalty correctly to give the ‘Sea Horses’, a superb win to clinch the title. Navy collected their points from one try, one conversion and one penalty to Army’s one try, one conversion and one penalty. Referee : Anil Mangala.