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CR flex muscles for Kandy scrummage
CR-20 CH-7
By Rangi Akbar
CR and FC just a week ahead of their key clash against Kandy SC next Saturday at Longden Place, flexed their muscles with a 20-7 win over the CH&FC in the Caltex League first round rugby encounter at Maitland Crescent yesterday. CR led 8-0 at half time. CR’s points were made up of a goal, two tries and a penalty. CH’s seven points coming off a goal.

To the question: “How prepared are you to meet reigning champions Kandy SC next week?” CR’s Australian coach Grant Dwyer said, “It’s we who will be at home. Kandy SC are our guests. Everything is in our favour.” CR’s President who was at the grounds to congratulate his team said, “We are well prepared”.

CH failed to breakthrough the CR defence until the last few minutes mainly due to the opposition put in by the ‘red shirts’. Their line was stretched and pummelled but did not break. The man to break the CR defence was Madhipola Ekanayake. He collected a neat kick-a-head and sprinted through the surprised CR defence to score mid left. Full back Nalin Dissanayake added the extra points.Until then it was CR all the way. They did not impress but they had enough possession to dictate terms and, from the fifth minute onwards when Dhanushka Pushpakumara put over a penalty to give them a 3-0 lead, CR’s strength was never in doubt.CH figured prominently for the next few minutes. Harshana Wijeweera missed a penalty for CH which could have aroused their fighting qualities and CH’s Duminda de Silva was sent to the sin-bin for bumping CR’s Ashen Kartheleis, the former Thomian skipper, in a line-out.

CR took the control of the game firmly into their hands when second rower and skipper Pavithra Fernando scored off a pushover scrum. Pushpakumara failed with the conversion and CR led 8-0 at the breather. Pavithra Fernando continued his good work after ‘lemons’ when he scored off a dragging maul to put CR firmly in the driving seat at 13-0.

CR continued to hammer at the CH defence but their line and breakaway forwards did their spoiling work well with Dushantha Lewke being in the thick of things.

CR’s next try came through Rajith Jayasundare when he barged over and Dhanushka Pushpakumara was on target to put over the conversion. Just when CR’s final tally seemed to be 20-nil, came Madhipola Ekanayake’s unexpected try which pulled the carpet from under the red shirts. This gave them a grim reminder that they will be up against much stronger opposition in the form of Kandy SC next week.
Referee: Roshan Deen.

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