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Marauding Soldiers ground the flagging Airmen 30-13 at Galle Face
By Rangi Akbar
The faster Army and Air Force realise that there are thirty players on the field and each of them could turn the game into a spectacular event the better it would be. As it is the Army battled through to register a 30 points (2 Goals, 2 Tries and 2 Penalties) to 13 (2 Tries, 1 Penalty) over the Air Force in a bruising Caltex Premier League rugby encounter at Galle Face yesterday.

The game had flashes of brilliance with individual play bursting into the limelight and simmering into nothing. But if the players had combined well it could have been a different picture. Both teams had players who could have turned this game into a spectacular event.

Both teams had fit and talented players and it is a pity to see them going on uneventful solo moves and these efforts breaking down even before they could get off the board. Army breezed into the lead at 5-0 with the wind from the Galle Face green blowing gently when winger Duminda scored.

In a complete turnaround Air Force staged a fight back and would have scored in the 20th minute. This move ended with the players with the ball running into the pack when the entire line was lined up with an empty field ahead.

After a series of unwanted play of this nature Air Force struck gold when Pradeep Kurukulasuriya barged over for a try. Sajith Bandara was off target with his kick at goal.

Just like a pendulum swinging back Army struck next when their exciting centre Kapila Knowlton scored after joining a forwards rush. Army were on the attack and the Airmen were caught back pedalling. T.A. Silva converted the kick at goal to put them ahead at 12-5. Lemons were taken at this score.

Air Force showed their fighting qualities next when Sajith Bandara put over a penalty to cut down the Army lead to 19-8. In the 12th minute Army's No 7 Karunatilleke was shown the Red Card by Referee T.A. Kamaldeen who indicated that Karunatilleke had kicked an opponent in a loose maul. Karunatilleke had to leave the field and Army were forced to play with 14 men from then onwards. Knowing that they were at a distinct disadvantage, the Army passed and tackled with gusto.

In the 15th minute Kapila Knowlton scored putting the finishing touches to a move which changed hands between Duminda and Kapila Knowlton. Army led 24-8. Air Force continued in the same tradition of striking back when Pradeep Kurukulasuriya scored mid left. Sajith Bandara failed with an easy conversion. Army - 24. Air Force 13.

That is as far as the Air Force scoring went. Army showed that they were made of sterner stuff when T.A. Silva put over two penalties to take their final tally to 30 while Air Force's score remained stagnant at 13 when the referee T. A. Kamaldeen blew no side.

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