CH run riot at Racecourse
CH&FC produced a scintillating performance in their final first round game, securing a massive 69-24 win over a besieged Navy SC in the SLR-MasterCard Club Rugby League at the Racecourse ground yesterday. The winners led 27-17 at halftime before launching an onslaught in the second half.
CH’s dazzling display reinforced their credentials as a formidable side in the tournament as the Maitland Crescent club delivered their best display of the season, scoring from 11 tries and seven conversions to accumulate an impressive 69 points. The Sailors, sitting at the bottom of the table, managed only three converted tries and a penalty for their 24-point consolation.
CH&FC set the tone early when halfback Harsha Maduranga capitalised on a strong maul to cross the line in the sixth minute. However, the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving them at 5-0 lead. Winger and captain Janidu Dilshan showcased his individual brilliance, scoring in the 17th minute, as CH extended their advantage to 10-0 after a failed conversion.
With Navy’s defence faltering, flanker Ravindu Anjula CH’s third try in the 20th minute. The conversion woes continued, but CH firmly held a 15-0 lead. Navy found a lifeline in the 26th minute when fullback Thilina Weerasinghe scored and converted his own try, narrowing the deficit to 7-15.
CH responded swiftly, as fly-half Dilhara Ranasinghe finished a well-worked move initiated by winger Jaden Koch in the 31st minute. Fullback Janith Chandimal made no mistake with the conversion, stretching the lead to 22-7.
Navy’s resilience showed when flanker Apoorva Wijesinghe braced under the posts in the 35th minute, with Weerasinghe converting to close the gap 14-22, before slotting a crucial 40-metre penalty, further cutting the deficit to 17-22. But the Gymkhana Club had the final say before halftime, as lock Nirosh Perera crashed under the posts. Chandimal’s conversion put CH at a comfortable 27-17 lead at halftime.
CH asserted their dominance completely after the resumption, while Navy suffered a setback in the 44th minute when prop Kaveesha Amarasekera was sin-binned. CH centre Pasindu Bandara sprinted 50 metres to score, as Chandimal’s successful conversion pushed the score to 34-17. Three minutes later, Nirosh grabbed his second try, and Chandimal’s conversion helped CH reach the 50-point mark.
CH’s replacement three-quarter Rushen Kumara and scrum-half Maliksha Perera braced a try each in the 62nd and 71st minutes while Navy’s No.8 Isuru Perera, managed a consolation try in the 68th minute, converted by Weerasinghe, taking their tally to 24 points. The nail on Navy’s coffin was hit in the 78th minute by winger Thanuja Maduranga, and Chandimal added the extras to seal a commanding 69-24 win for CH.