No sweat for Sailors as they cut through the Police defence
Two Sailors aiming to halt a Cop - Pic by Amila Gamage
Police smarting from a defeat with no wins to boast about took on Navy who are placed third in the league table at the Police Park, yesterday.
In the first round game, Navy beat Police by 31 points to 24 at Welisara.
Having started the game slowly and lemons taken leading at 17 points to 12 the Sailors cut loose in the second half to pile on without leaving glimmer of hope to the cops. Finally Navy won the game by 45 points (5 goals 2 tries) to Police 26 (3 goals 1 try).
It was a game that produced individual effort from both teams to earn points where cohesive team play took second place.
After 10 minutes of even exchange in the 12th minute Police scrum half Hishan Gomes kicked from the base in centre field and Navy misfielded. Police wing three Janitha Chandimal picked up and ran 30 metres to score. Outside half Sandesh Jayawickrema missed the conversion and Police lead 5- 0.
In the 22nd minute, Navy Prop Forward Steve Gregory finished off a forward move as they rushed the opponents. Fullback Thilina Weerasinghe also missed the conversion 5-5.
In the 33rd minute of play, Navy centre Janith Chanaka broke from the centre and powered himself through to score in the right corner. Thilina Weerasinghe missed the conversion once again, but, Navy led at 10 –5.
A scorching run in the 36 minute by from 50 metres out by Police wing three Janith Chandimal and good conversion by Sandesh Jayawickrema from the corner helped Police to jump into lead 12 points 10. Yet, after a series of pick and hits Navy prop Kasun de Silva went over the line and Thilina Weerasinghe made no mistake this time with the conversion. Scores at half time, Navy 17 (1 goal, 2 tries) to Police 12 (1 goal, 1 try)
In the 3rd minute of the second half Prop Stephen Gregory who had a good day’s play finished off a forward movement and Thilina Weerasinghe converted for Navy to lead 24 points to 12.
Then, in the 7th minute Navy scored again through Centre Supun Dilshan who ran from centre field to score. Thilina Weerasinghe added the extra points for Navy to extend the lead and take control at 31 points to 12.
In the 16th minute of play in the second half, Navy No.8 Raven de Silva was spotted for collapsing and was sent to the bin. Off the ensuing penalty Police barged for flanker Udaya Sanjuka to score and Jayawickrema added the points for Police to reduce the lead to 19-31.
Wing three Buddhika Piyaratne scored for Navy in the 21 minute and Weerasinghe Kicked right to extend the lead to 38 to 19.
Police prop Rasika de Silva was sent to the cooler for back chat to Referee and in the ensuing exchange Navy scrum half Harsha Maduranga scored and Weerasinghe converted to make their tally 45 points to 19.
Police scored once again in the last minute through locks Janith Chanaka, and the conversion was made good by Sandesh Jayawickrema, but, it was too late in the day as referee Priyantha Gunaratne blew full time with Navy winning by 45 points to 26.