Navy down CR&FC with ease
A CR player is well tackled by the Soldiers - Pix by Priynahta Wickramaarachchi
The Dialog Second Round League game played at Welisara between Navy and CR had different expectations for both teams. In the first round Navy nicked CR by 37 points to 34 at Longdon Place. CR has had a bag of mixed fortunes so far this season. Navy are third in the table with the same number of wins as Havelocks who are in second place. CR lying fifth and recovering from a 15-50 crushing defeat in the hands of Kandy last week and it was important to recover for the sake of them.
CR kicked off and Navy led by Danushka (Gertha) Perera moved into CR territory and for 26 minutes the ball transited between the 30-metres and the centre of both half’s. It looked like CR had not recovered as Navy started to form took a cozy 17 points (2 goals, 1 try) to 3 (1 penalty) lead at half time.
Navy however found themselves in difficult ground at times during the second and did well to end winners by 34 points (4 goals, 2 penalties) to 18 (1 goal, 1 try, 2 penalties). Navy did struggle at times to keep the game alive as has happened to then very often during the season. The psyching from those just outside the perimeter and within hearing distance seems to give a wrong signal and vibes to the players who appear to lose sight what they have been training for. Navy Fullback Thilina Weerasinghe made the difference with two tries and four conversions and two penalties making a personal tally of 24 points of 34.
After moving around Navy scored closer to the left corner In the 26th minute through skipper Perera whose leadership had an impact on the game. Fullback Weerasinghe converted from a difficult angle and Navy led 7-0. In the 32nd minute Navy earned a penalty 25 metres in front of the post for hands in the ruck and Weerasinghe converted with ease to extend the lead to 10-0.
A Navy player on the chagre
Navy were penalised in the 38th minute for not releasing at the tackle and winger Reeza Rafideen kicked right and CR reduced the lead 10-3.
Navy earned a penalty inside CR 30, and off a quick tap ball changed hands for fullback Weerasinghe, who joined to create the extra man and score and convert himself as Navy extended the lead to 17-3. And teams broke for the half time.
Once again the Navy looked out of sorts for 16 minutes and they were spotted standing in scrum as Tarinda Ratwatte kicked right and reduced the lead for CR 17-6. In the 17th minute CR were found in front of a kick in general play and Weerasinghe kicked right for Navy to lead 20-6.
In the 21st minute fullback Weerasinghe joined the line on the off side and took a pass from the wing after the all changed hands quickly among the backs and put the finishing touches far left and made good of the conversion. Navy were romping home leading by 27-6. As Navy made some unforced errors CR moved within five metres of the line and front rower Kokila Sambandapperuma scored by the flag and Ratwatte converted. Scores stood as Navy 27- CR 13.
In the 37th minute winger Sashan Mohamed scored far left and Ratwatte failed to add extra points. Scores were still in favour of Navy 27-18.
In the dying minutes of the game Navy made sure of the bonus points as hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe scored far right and Weerasinghe who had his kicking boots on, put the ball through the post for Navy to win by 34-18, to keep a tryst alive for a second or third place slot.