Cops run riot to sink Sailors
Police Sports Club kept their Plate title hopes alive in the SLR-Mastercard Club Rugby League with a dominant 67-19 win over Navy Sports Club at Police Park yesterday. The home side, leading 33-12 at half-time, produced an attacking masterclass with eleven tries, while putting over six of them. The Sailors managed to score from three tries and two conversions.
It was a flawless performance from Police SC, with dynamic backline play and key contributions from centres Akash Madusanka and Prince Chamara, who played pivotal roles in securing the commanding win.
It was Navy who drew first blood in the fourth minute with flyhalf Isuru Kongahawatta crossing the line for the opening try. With fullback Thilina Weerasinghe adding the conversion, the Sailors led 7-0. The Cops responded quickly. Flanker Udaya Sanjula scored a try, and with flyhalf Yohan Peiris converting, the scores were level at 7-7 in the eighth minute. Prop Hafiz Thabeeth followed with an unconverted try to give Police the lead at 12-7 by the 13th minute.
Navy had very little answer to the Cops - Pic courtesy ThePapare
Centre Akash Madusanka then scored for Police, and with a successful conversion from Peiris, they extended the lead to 19-7 in the 18th minute. Tensions rose as both teams had a player each yellow-carded. Police lost winger Sujan Kodithuwakku while Navy had to play without fullback Thilina Weerasinghe for 10 minutes.
However, Police took full advantage of this and crossed for their bonus point try in the 24th minute, with centre Madusanka touching down again. With Peiris’ conversion they extended the lead to 26-7. Navy fought back in the 36th minute through scrumhalf Hashan Madumadawa’s unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 26-12. But, Police weren’t done yet. In the final play of the first half, scrumhalf Primesh Danushka touched down, and Peiris converted to send Police into the break with a commanding 33-12 lead.
After the break, Police continued their onslaught. In the 48th minute, lock Heshan Kalhara scored an unconverted try, making it 38-12. Five minutes later, flyhalf Navin Kanishka added another try, and despite no conversion, the lead stretched to 43-12.
Navy briefly reduced the deficit when winger Dimuth Perera scored, and Kongahawatta converted to make it 43-19 in the 64th minute. However, Police soon surpassed the 50-point mark, with prop Amjad Faumy scoring in the 68th minute. With fullback Yehan Bulathsinhalage’s conversion, the lead swelled up to 50-19.
Faumy, coming off the bench, completed a hat-trick in the 70th minute, powering over near the posts for an unconverted try, making it 55-19. Police’s final try came at the stroke of the full-time whistle. Flanker Udaya Sanjula, who had scored the first try of the game, also scored the last, ensuring a 67-19 victory for the Cops.