Mubarak boots CR to win over CH in ‘Maitland Derby’
CR players desperately trying to stop a CH player. Pic by Amila Gamage
Experienced full-back Riza Mubarak’s excellent work with the boot helped CR & FC record their second win in the Dialog Rugby League 2019/2020 when they beat CH & FC 23-17 at Racecourse International Stadium yesterday.
CH & FC, hosting this ‘Maitland Derby’ gave away the early lead, when young centre Janidu Dilshan pounced on a loose ball and dashed 40 metres to score the first try of the match in the fourth minute. Mubarak made no mistake with the conversion.
As the hosts settled down eventually, they committed an unforced error while defending their own line which Mubarak booted over to add three more points to give CR a 10-0 lead after only 16 minutes on the clock.
CH & FC attempted to commence their scoring through a long-range penalty kick by Arshad Jamaldeen which wasn’t successful. However, the experienced and bulky CH & FC front-five, clearly had the upper hand over their young and inexperienced counterparts.
CH’s prop forward Sathya Ranathunga barged over the line in the 27th minute as the hosts put their first points on the board. Jamaldeen added the extra points.
CR & FC right winger Sandun Herath initiated a brilliant counter-attacking move from their own ’22’ to catch the CH & FC defensive line off-guard. The move ended when Mubarak neatly put a grubber-kick for left winger Gemunu Chethiya to collect, step on the gas and score under the posts. Mubarak converted to give CR a 10-point cusion at the break.
After lemons, CR & FC, got off to the worst possible start when their second-row forward Panduka Angammana received a yellow-card for a dangerous tackle. CH & FC used the one-man advantage to go deep into the CR’s half and reduce the deficit.
Hooker Prasad Madusanka scored the second try for the home team crashing through a well-constructed maul. Jamaldeen failed to add extra points. CR 17-12.
Mubarak once again came to the rescue of CR & FC when he bisected the posts with an easy penalty kick to put his team eight points ahead at the 50-minute mark. CR 20-12.
As both teams injected fresh blood from the bench, it was CR & FC’s bench strength which became the decisive factor in the final result. They were camped inside their own half for more than 10 minutes, defending stoutly. However, their excellent defensive work collapsed when Ranathunga barged over for his second try. CR 20-17.
With only five minutes left in the game clock, Mubarak, booted over another penalty kick to virtually seal the ‘Maitland Derby’ for the visitors.
Referee – Gihan Yatawara