Cops stun CH to record third win
In a close and fierce battle Police SC prevailed over CH&FC to record a stunning win, their third in the SLR Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023.
Played at Police Park, the Cops led the halftime 10-9 and after changing over the lead, finished off with a brilliant outcome that came from a tally of four tries, two conversions and a penalty. CH managed to lead the game at most points, but they scored from a solitary converted try, and the remaining points came from five penalties, mostly through errors by the Cops.
CH were the first to draw blood, as they were rewarded by back-to-back penalties within the first 10 minutes. They were put over by winger Nethmina Hirusha, before Police retaliated through a brilliant try from flanker Nisal Samadhi in the 14th minute. With the conversion from flyhalf Yohan Peiris, Police led by a whisker 7-6.
CH regained the lead after Hirusha successfully put over his third penalty in the 26th minute 9-7, but Cops had the final say before the halftime after Peiris put over a penalty to gain a slight 10-9 lead in the 30th minute, which went on until the halftime.
Seconds after the turnaround Samadhi returned to the spotlight again with his second try of the game, as Peiris added the extra points to put Police further in the lead by 17-9. Yet again, their own flaws cost the Cops as they conceded two more penalties to CH. Hirusha was successful in both attempts as CH trailed close 15-17.
Soon after Police three-quarter Rukshan Madushanka was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute, CH began to make inroads to breach their opponent’s defence. It was paid off in the 65th minute, when hooker Prasath Madushanka crossed over to touch down, and with Hirusha’s conversion CH took over the lead 22-17.
CH were in full swing after this attempt, and they finally got aggressive until they lost playmaker Madushanka in the 73rd minute. Minutes after that winger Akash Ravisinghe touched down for the Cops to score an unconverted try and equalise 22-all. In the brink of the final whistle CH were brought down to 13 men when Venura Kodagoda was shown a yellow card.
This gave the Cops the courage to pace up their attack, resulting forward Hafiz Thabeeth score a brilliant unconverted try as the hosts emerged victorious 27-22.