CR manage to stay out of gaol by the skin of their teeth
CR&FC came into this game expecting a comfortable win having beaten Police SC in the first round 53-10 and having beaten Army in the first week of the second round but it was a total contrast of their expectations at the Police Park yesterday. Eventually the Red Shirts had to sweat of their brow before pulling off an exciting and important 33-31 win.
At halftime CR led 26-10 and went on to complete with a tally of five tries and four conversions, while the Cops made a rampaging comeback in the second half to score off three converted tries, a penalty try and a penalty. Rugby was maintained by the scoreline at the end though some moves in a match complete with unforced errors keep the game alive.
CR opened the scoring in the third minute after pressing the Police goal line and being awarded a penalty. Off a tap and engagements of forwards the ball was moved down the line and CR scored through wing-three-quarter Kavindu Perera. The conversion was missed by outside half Tarinda Ratwatte.
In the 13th minute, CR scored again, prop Gayan Jayasekera powered his way after a penalty for Police not being 10 metres off a line out. Ratwatte added the extra points and CR led 12-0. The Cops came into the picture in the 17th minute when fly half Sandesh Jayawickrema put over a penalty from 30 metres out when CR were found guilty not binding.
The Red Shirts scored again in the 22th minute through a gifted try after the Cops mis-fielded. CR No.8 Omalka Gunaratne scored and Ratwatte added the extra points. In the 26th minute Police received a penalty try after CR were found guilty for a high tackle and a repeated high during advantage play. Half time was taken with CR leading 26-10.
After the resumption the first 13 minutes were a battle of dominance until Police centre Iroshana Silva receiving the ball from his outside half, cut through, creating a gap in the CR defence and went over with ease as a knife running through butter to score a beautiful try. Jayawickrema converted as Police trailed 17-26.
The Red Shirts were given the scare of an imminent defeat as in the 29th minute Police forced a scrum on the 5-metre and scrum half Hashan Gomes opted to work the line and followed to collect an inside pass and ground the ball for a try. The Cops were just three points away from taking over 24-26.
As the end of the game neared, CR was received a lifeline when winger Riza Refaideen, who was sin-binned earlier, scored by the corner and with Ratwatte’s kick, the Red Shirts took their lead to 33-24.
The injury time, which followed soon after the full time of play, would have been the toughest duration for CR, as they were left shell shocked by the move of Police outside half Sandesh Jayawickrema. He capped off his good performance with a try and converted himself to give the game a perfect ending despite CR walked out winners 33-31 at the final whistle of Referee Priya Suranga. CR will need to do a lot of home work as they proceed and Police supporters and players walked off thinking they were robbed of a win.