CR in hard fought win

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CR and FC 27 points
Sri Lanka Air Force 16 points

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR and FC continued their winning ways in the Mastercard Inter Club Rugby League 2024/2025 when they beat Sri Lanka Air Force by 27/16 at Ratmalana last evening.

CR who led 12/6 at the short breather collected a bonus point through their 4 tries scored.

Air Force dished out some cohesive rugby in the early part of the first half but lacked the finishing touches and ball retention which were the major two reasons for their defeat in the end. Gayantha Iddamalgoda had a grand game for the hosts.

Meanwhile CR who defended most part of the first 25 minutes hit back later in the first half. After the turn-around Red Shirts opted to work their line more and put the Air Force outfit under pressure. Mursheed Doray, Rinesh Silva and Naveen Mararsinghe all had grand outings.

Air Force drew first blood in the 22nd minute through Gayantha Iddamalgoda penalty. It took almost 30 minutes for CR to find the Air Force try line through their scrum half, Viduna Amneth. Another Iddamalgoda penalty took the hosts ahead by a solitary point. On stroke of half time through sweeping three quarter move Rinesh Silva scored right corner flag. Mursheed Doray made a beautiful corer flag conversion to take the lead 12/6 while enjoying the short breather.

After the turn around Shamika Kaushan scored their only try while Iddamalgoda converted and put over a penalty. Meanwhile Red Shirts scored their two tries through burly Naveen Marasinghe. Mursheed Doray converted one of them and put over a penalty as well to keep the hopes alive for the defending of the league.

Referee Raveen Alexander officiated the game.