Second half burst takes Navy through to Cup Super-4

Musheen Faleel in attacking way for the Sailors

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club came from behind to snatch a famous 1-point win when they beat Sri Lanka Air Force by 32/31 in their Nippon Inter Club Rugby League 2022/2023 encounter which was played at Welisara yesterday. 

With this win Sri Lanka Navy SC moved up to number four position and play in the Super 4 Cup segment along with Kandy SC, CR and FC and Havelock SC.

Navy SC collected their points through four tries, three conversions and two penalties while Air Force scored their points through four tries, four conversions and one penalty.

Thilina Weerasinghe put the hosts, Sailors on the board with a 30-meter penalty early in the 10th minute of the game but a few minutes later Air Force scrum half, Nuwan Perera, put over a similar penalty for the visitors. Air Force went further ahead through Parakrama Ratnayake try and Nuwan Perera conversion. 

Parakrama Ratnayake who had a grand game for the Air Force outfit scored once again and Nuwan Perera added the extras to take a 17/3 lead. Sailors who were on the back foot turned things around reducing the gap through Janith Laksara try and Thilina Weerasinghe conversion.

At the short breather it was Air Force who led 17/10.

After the turn around both teams displayed quality rugby and it was a well-matched game for both the outfits. After several minutes both teams found no gap as each other’s defence was rock solid till Air Force broke the silence through a try by their skipper, Sarala Weralla. Nuwan Perera added the extra two points. 

Former Thomian schoolboy, Rewanka Abeywardena touched down for the visitors with Nuwan Perera once again on target with the kick at goal to take the lead to 31/10. The game was slipping away from the hosts. But Stephan Gregory who had other ideas beat several defenders to touch down a try for the hosts. Thilina Weerasinghe was on target. 

Musheen Faleel touched down next and Thilina Weerasinghe added the extras to cut the deficit to seven points and the scores stood at 31/24. With the game running in to the last five minutes Nirosh Perera touched down and for everyone’s surprise conversion was missed by ever reliable, Thilina Weerasinghe. 

So, it was the Air Force by 2 points lead with the game in to the last 2 minutes. Navy SC got a penalty 40 meters out and Thilina Weerasinghe obliged with a superb 40 penalty not only to win the game 32/31 but also to take the Sailors in to the Super- 4 Cup segment as well.

Referee Ishanka Abeykoon

Today Defending league champion, Kandy SC will play against Havelock SC away in Colombo while Police will host CH and FC.