CR advancing through with confidence

By Shamzeer Jaleel 

Re-grouped CR and FC advanced in the second round of the Inter club league with confidence when they edged out the Sailors 27/25 in a thriller at Welisara last week-end. Defending league and current unbeaten league leader Kandy SC marched forward without much difficulty when they over-ran Air Force 60/16 at Ratmalana. With the club season moving forward Havies and CR & FC will be hoping that Kandy will have their off day and will be beaten more than once in order for one of them to close the gap. But Kandy with the current form is very unlikely to be troubled by any team. They have only one difficult hurdle that one against Navy away in Welisara. Rest of their three important clashes against the Cops, “Red Shirts” and Havelocks are to be played at Nittawela. Beating Kandy is difficult but beating them at Nittawela is a near to impossible for any visiting teams. 

CR edge pass the Sailors 

Navy led at the short breather against CR and had a narrow lead till the near end. They played well in patches. With 10 minutes of play left it was the “Red Shirts” who led 24/20 but Yoshitha Rajapakse try took the Sailors ahead with one point lead. But it was Prince Chamara put over a penalty 35 meters out to take 27/25 lead. But the Sailors were still within winning range when they got a penalty in the last minute of the game when full back Thilina Weerasinghe missed a kickable penalty. This was Navy SC’s third consecutive defeat losing streak starting with the Kandy game and then the Cops. One of the fair decision makers in refereeing Dinka Peiris officiated well in this game. 

  One way traffic for Kandy 

Kandy once again was in peak form when they outclassed Air Force 60/16 in an one-sided affair at Ratmalana. Kandy SC scored at will crossing the opponent line no less than 10 times. Air force scored through one converted try and three penalties. Kandy SC’s only worry in this 10 try blitz was the injury forced their skipper Fazil Marija to be taken to hospital. It’s learnt that Fazil was suffering from a back injury which will keep him away for the Police and Army encounters.

Havies outclass the Solders

Meanwhile Havies second half rally was too much for the Solders when the Park Club ran away with an easy 39/18 win last week-end after leading 17/15 at the short breather. Havies showed their fitness and knowledge of the game in to play in the last quarter scoring two back to back tries to snatch win after a close encounter in the first three quarters.

Police win

Police SC continued their winning streak in the second round with a 29/17 win over the last placed CH & FC. Police in their last three encounters having beaten the Army (47/45), Navy (16/11) have found their form and getting to peak at the correct time for their next game against Kandy in Kandy. Their play maker Mohamed Sheriff had a grand outing.