Red Shirts shell shocked by Cops

 Police hooker Deshan Fernando on a powerful move

• Police overcome league Champions CR 40/16

By Shamseer Jaleel

Police Sports Club produced one of the best A games this season when they scored an easy 40/16 win against CR and FC ending the latter’s unbeaten run this season in their first semi-final of the Clifford Cup Knock out rugby 2024 encounter at Race Course ground yesterday.

Police scored 5 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties, 1 drop goal and CR managed only 2 tries, 2 penalties. At the short breather Police led 23/16.

Police SC dished out the best rugby this season having complete control of the game for the entire 80 minutes. After 7 points lead they never gave the champion outfit from Longdon Place a comeback as they paced the game for the entire 80 minutes of play. Shell-shocked Red Shirts never recovered with some wonderful team play by the Cops with Hirantha Perera, Akash Madushanka, Prince Chamara, Sachin Silva and Shane Hopwood being omnipresent.

Going into the latter half Police never relaxed; they spread the game in the entire 80 minutes and played their hearts out. Shane Hopwood their full back had some ghosting moves which put CR defence all over while Akash running and power was too much to sort out for the Red Shirts three quarter line. Though they ended as Plate winners (number 5) in the league they grounded giants, CR and FC who were number 1 and league Champions plus unbeaten during their 10 games.

CR playing without their regular number 8 and play maker, Lasindu Karunathilake had to pay the price. His absence was felt badly and put Adeesha Weerathunge with a lot of cover defence to iron out. Though Adeesha Weerathunge, Manilka Ruberu and Mursheed Zubair played well in patches it was too much power in play by the Cops who saved the best for this game.

CR drew first blood through Manilka Ruberu penalty in the 3rd minute of the game but Police hit back soon through a forwards rush ending in a try for Hafeez Thabith. Prince Chamara penalty took the Cops further ahead at 8/3. Ruberu’s penalty cut the deficit for CR to 2 points. In the next move created by the Cops saw Police Winger, Sachith Silva missing a certain try. A few minutes later Shane Hopwood playing as the full back danced his way for the next Police try. CR hit back through Thenuka Nanayakkara’s try. But Police hit back through Shanaka Harischandra try and Hopwood added the 2 points. Venura Kodagoda went over the try line next for the Red Shirts but Cops increased their lead once more through Prince Chamara penalty on the stroke of half time.

After the turn around there was no comeback for the Red Shirts Sachith Silva (2), Naveen Kanishka scored the three tries while Prince Chamara had time for a beautiful drop goal plus Naveen Kanishka conversion took the Cops in to the final on 9 March under their Head Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim who had done a yeoman service this season.

Referee was Gihan Yatawara.

Police Sports Club Head Coach, Nilfer Ibrahim speaking to Daily FT said: “We played really well, this is the team which should have been in the Cup segment this year. I would like to thank all the staff who worked around the clock, sponsors and players looking to the end. The tournament is not over. We will bring our best game in the final on 9 March to whoever we meet.”

Police SC will play the winners of Ch and FC vs Havies encounter which will take place today at the same venue.