Airmen withstand late Army thrust home
An Air Force player valiantly attempts to run past two Army defenders - Pic by M.D. Nissanka
The Air Force triumphed 32-29 over the Army at Ratmalana by dint of a more efficient and superior opening half. The winners scored 3 goals, a try and two penalties as opposed to the Army’s 3 goals, a try and a penalty.
The Army stuck with their tried and tested power play by the forwards. In this respect, skipper Manoj Silva, Jayalal and Nanayakkara were in the thick of things, and gave it their all.
By contrast, the Airmen played some rousing, exciting rugby by using their back division to very good effect. Skipper Gayantha Iddamalgoda played an excellent game. His ball distribution was spot on and the way he drew his man and sent out crisp passes was exemplary. Late in the game he permitted himself the luxury of a slicing run through the defence and almost scored.
Centre Charith Seneviratne was also outstanding, especially in attack. He gained twelve points for his team with his conversions.
This is Air Force’s fourth win. On the evidence of today’s game, the win over last year’s champions, Kandy, cannot be deemed an upset. Iddamalgoda’s side is simply playing very good rugby.
One win in six games would suggest that a team is struggling and plumbing the depths. In Army’s case however, it isn’t so. Luck has not been with them. They lost to the CR and the Navy by a single point (24-25) and now, this game, by three.
Army fired the opening salvo with a try from Dhanushka Talwatte. Gayan Salinda’s conversion meant that the soldiers lead 7-0.
The Air Force tried to strike back at once. But they let the Army off the hook as they were unable to sustain the pressure. Seneviratne cut through the defence on one occasion and sent co-centre Suriya Krishan over. The former converted to tie the score at 7 all. This was followed by a Salinda penalty for the Army to retake the lead.
After a few aborted attempts at scoring, No.8 Senaka Weralla touched down for a converted try (14-10). Seneviratne then increased the lead through a penalty. Gimhana Silva was the next to score when he picked up and forced his way over the line. Seneviratne made it 24-10.
Desperate for a score before the break, the Army attacked furiously. Dhanushka Talwatte burst out on the open side and went over for his second try. Salinda failed with the conversion. Moments earlier his attempted drop kick hit the upright and bounced off. At lemons it was 24-15 to the winners.
The second half started slowly, but in the 14th minute winger Ishara Madushan was able to score Air Force’s fourth and final try and take their tally to 29.
Adhikari went over next for Salinda to add the extra points. Air Force felt a little vulnerable with a 29-22 scoreline. A penalty kick taken by Seneviratne gave them some space (32-22).
The Army played desperate rugby in the final 7 to 8 minutes and found reward when prop Sumeda Nanayakkara crossed the line and Salinda added the extra points for a final score of 32-29.
Referee – Priyantha Gunaratne.