Cops tame Sri Lions
Last season’s Clifford Cup Knockout champions, Police SC, made light work of debutants Sri Lions in their Plate Segment clash of the SLC-MasterCard Club Rugby League at the Air Force ground in Ratmalana yesterday. The Cops surged in the second half to clinch a commanding 39-12 victory after leading 18-12 at the break.
Police’s second-half performance was clinical, scoring all their points after the break to register a comprehensive win. This victory marked their second consecutive triumph over Sri Lions, with Police showing their experience and power, making a clear statement in their quest for further success in the tournament.
Sri Lions attempted to capitalise over the game, but they were humbled clinically by the Cops - Pic courtesy ThePapare
The match started at a brisk pace, with Police taking the lead early on. In the fourth minute, hooker Deshan Fernando scored the opening try, and flyhalf Yohan Peiris added the extra points to make it 7-0. Sri Lions responded quickly, with lock Denuwan Silva powering through for an unconverted try, bringing the score to 7-5 in the seventh minute.
Just two minutes later, Police were awarded a penalty, which Peiris slotted over to extend their lead to 10-5. But Sri Lions refused to back down. A strong run from prop Dushmantha Priyadarshana saw him bulldoze his way through the Police defence for a crucial try, and with scrumhalf Anuradha Silva’s successful conversion, Sri Lions took a 12-10 lead in the 16th minute.
Police quickly regained their advantage with a penalty from Peiris in the 20th minute, making it 13-12. The match remained tight, with both teams testing each other’s defences. In the 30th minute, Peiris made a dazzling run, and though the try was unconverted, Police extended their lead to 18-12, as the halftime struck.
In the second half, Police came out firing. After losing two players to the sin bin—hooker Deshan Fernando in the 45th minute and centre Prince Chamara in the 48th minute—Police were down to 13 men, giving Sri Lions a opening to capitalise. However, despite being a two men down, Police defended admirably, frustrating Sri Lions’ attempts to break through.
When Fernando and Chamara returned to the field, Police were back to full strength by the 59th minute, and it wasn’t long before they made their move. In the 61st minute, scrumhalf Shehandu Costa dotted down for Police’s third try. With Peiris’ conversion, the lead to swelled to 25-12.
The match saw more action as forward Faizer Abdullah was sin-binned in the 65th minute, reducing Sri Lions to 14 players once again. With the advantage Police took control and scored again in the 70th minute when No.8 Vihanga Pivithuru crossed the line for a try. Peiris made no mistake with the conversion, and the scoreline read 30-12. In the final moments, Police sealed their dominance with another try from Pavithura in the 77th minute. Peiris converted once more to seal the deal 39-12.