Airmen scrape through to handoff Sri Lions
Hooker Shamika Kaushan was the star for the victorious Air Force side, scoring a hat-trick as the winners raked in their points from five tries and two conversions. Sri Lions fought back valiantly with four tries, two conversions and a penalty but fell agonizingly short.
The Airmen went on to score five tries as they thwarted a late comeback made by Sri Lions to record a close win - Pic courtesy ThePapare
The match began with a bang in the fourth minute when Kaushan touched down after a well-executed lineout and driving maul. The windy conditions made life difficult for fullback Gayantha Iddamalgoda, whose conversion attempt went astray, but Air Force took an early 5-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Sri Lions got on the scoreboard as stand-in captain and flyhalf Chanaka Chandimal slotted in a penalty to make it 5-3. The visitors then seized the lead for the first time in the 14th minute when hooker Prasad Madusanka crashed over for an unconverted try, putting them ahead 8-5.
Air Force responded in the 33rd minute as Kaushan powered through for his second try, once again unconverted, to restore their lead at 10-8. The Airmen extended their advantage four minutes before the break, as No.8 Shashika Fernando muscled his way over near the right corner flag. This time, Iddamalgoda was on target with the conversion, giving the home side a 17-8 lead at the break.
Sri Lions came back roaring early in the second half. In the 44th minute, flanker Nizran Mohamed crossed the line, and with Chandimal’s conversion, the deficit was cut to just two points at 15-17.
However, Kaushan was unstoppable. In the 50th minute, the hooker completed his hat-trick off another driving maul, securing a crucial bonus point for Air Force as they moved 22-15 ahead.
Sri Lions were not done yet. Despite being reduced to 14 men, they struck back in the 54th minute through forward Imanka Ariyapala. Chandimal’s conversion levelled the scores at 22-22, setting up a tense final quarter.
The Airmen responded swiftly, flexing their forward muscle. In the 58th minute, flanker Nishan Peiris finished off a well-worked driving maul, and centre Pramod Padmasanka converted to give Air Force a 29-22 lead.
Sri Lions refused to go down without a fight. In the 69th minute, former Peterite skipper and No.8 Dulaj Navodya cut through the defense for an unconverted try, bringing his team within two points at 29-27. However, Air Force managed to hold firm in the dying minutes to seal a hard-fought victory when referee Ishanka Abeykoon blew the long whistle.