CR edges out CH

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR and FC not only continued their unbeaten run but also kept their league title contention in tact when they edged out CH and FC by 28 points (4 tries, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) to 23 points (3 tries, 1 conversion, 2 penalties) at Longdon Place last evening.

At the short breather Red Shirts led 13/10.

The game was a closely contested one with CR holding the edge in the initial half but CH hit back late in the first half through a converted try to enter the game. For CR, Mursheed Doray, Thenuka Nanayakkara and skipper, Soyuru Anthony played well. In fact, Mursheed Doray was in fine form with kicks to touch, gaining a lot of territory for the home team.

Once again for CH their full back, Hirusha Sampath was outstanding both in defence and attack. His kick to touch was amazing at finding territory for them to attack. Even his last penalty kick was taken 35 meters away in difficult conditions with heavy rain and wet ball. Skipper Avantha Lee and Dushmantha Priyadharshana too played their hearts out. But both teams received plenty of yellow cards, as the referee was very strict on both teams.

CR drew first blood in the 10th minute of the game through a penalty kick by Thenuka Nanayakkara but Hirusha Sampath equalised soon after for CH. A few minutes later CR missed a certain try scoring opportunity when a Randy Silva pass did not reach Iranga Ariyapala in a good way who had a clear open field, touching distance to the try line. But CR hit back at last in the 26th minute of play through a Lasindu Karunathilake try. Another Randy Silva try took CR into a clear lead 13/3. But in the last minute of the initial half CH received a penalty within kicking range but to everyone’s surprise they opted to kick to touch and attacked towards the try line to score through a forwards rush by Prasath Madushanka. Hirusha Sampath added the extra 2 points to cut the deficit to 3 points.

After the short breather Manilka Ruberu touched down for the Red Shirts but CH hit back through their replacement fly half, Denesh de Silva try and conversion by Sampath reduced CH deficit to a single point at 17/18. Amith Gurusinghe try and Thenuka Nanayakkara kick at goal took CR into 25/17 with a lead of 8 points plus gaining the bonus point for their 4 tries. Two more penalties by Hirusha Sampath took CH so close yet so far in the end as Thenuka Nanayakkara replied with one of them. CH received a losing bonus point.

Referee was Gihan Yatawara.