CR end on a triumphant note — drub CH&FC
A failed attempt in whole, CH's Lee Keegal is well targeted by CR's Reza Raffaideen and Tarinda Ratwatte - Pic by Amila Gamage
CR&FC put behind them a season of mixed fortunes by playing some red-hot rugby to outplay the more favoured CH&FC in an entertaining Clifford Cup quarter-final at the Race Course.
CR’s 46 points came off 4 goals, 3 tries and a penalty. CH scored through 3 goals, 1 try and a penalty. After a first half that CR really dominated, they were in the lead 22-15.
CH made the early running, but CR made the first touchdown. Flyhalf Chanaka Chandimal made a good break. He kicked, followed up and tackled the CH player in possession. Then hooker Hirantha Manamendra wriggled over the line for the opening salvo. Ratwatte made it 7-0.
Centre Anuradha Herath showed a good burst of speed when he collected a pass and ran round the last defender to touch down. Fullback Samuel Maduwantha made it 7 all.
CR was finding gaps in the CH defence and on another occasion, a Third row Chamod Fernando run ended in a score by Reza Rafaideen, (12-7).
CR’s short snappy passes and very committed running by the backs were difficult to counter. It was skipper Kavindu Perera’s turn to go over. Tarinda Ratwatte’s kick hit the right upright and veered away (17-7).
Tries were coming fast and furious. CR kept attacking on the right. Lock Gayan Dilshan went over next to increase CR’s tally to 22.
A certain try was aborted at this stage by the brilliant defence of the winners. A CH player was deprived of the ball as he was about to touch-down – CR got possession and cleared to safety.
A simple Maduwantha penalty made the score 22-10. CH endeavoured to push their way off a couple of five yard scrums. When these failed, they sent the ball down the line for Anuradha Herath to score his second.
It was 22-15 at the break.
A miscarriage of Justice! Centre Lee Keegal made a superb run deep into CR territory. In trying to change direction, he slipped and lost control. CR seized passion and went upfield for flanker Joel Perera to go over. Ratwatte added the three points and followed up with a penalty (32-15).
A great bit of thinking by Chandimal resulted in another CR score. They were on the attack in CH’s 22 but lost the ball. CH applied the boot. Chandimal ran up, took the short tap and cut his way through. Ratwatte was kicking better now after a couple of early misses (39-15).
A brilliant interception by Keegle almost saw him go the whole way. But a desperate defence got him 10 yards from the line.
Flanker Sudarshana Muthutantri won the ball off a line out close to the goal line, shrugged off two defenders and went over (39-22).
CR’s prop Gayan Jayasekera leapt over two defenders but when touching down, the ball fell out of his hands.
Very much against the run of play, Chandimal picked up and steamed ahead. He drew the last man and passed to Rafaideen to do the honours.
Muthutantri lifted CH’s spirits by playing a good one-two with Lee Keegle and going on to score. Samuel Maduwantha’s conversion made the final tally 46-29.
Referee Sam Jones.
Kandy thrash Air Force
Dialog League champs Kandy SC thrashed Air Force SC by 53-14 in the Dialog Clifford Cup Knockout Tournament quarter-final, and advance to the semis, after their easy win at Pallekele yesterday.
At halftime Kandy led 26-0 and went on to score from eight tries, five conversions and a penalty.
Air Force scored from two converted tries.