Navy subdue Army with ease
Sri Lanka Navy SC made full use of the away advantage to register their sixth victory in the ongoing Dialog Inter -Club ‘A’ Division League second-round Rugby Tournament when the defeated Sri Lanka Army SC 28 points ( 4 goals ) to 10 points ( 1 goal and 1 penalty) at Havelock Park yesterday. The winners led 14-10 at the breather.
Navy SC played to a well mapped out game plan, good ball won by the forwards was swiftly flung out to the fleet footed outside backs who punched gaping holes in the Army SC defence.
It was the Sailors’ full back and the top points scorer Thilina Weerasinghe who opened scoring in the 11th minute of play. The right winger collecting a pass from centre Lahiru Herath touched down for Navy SC for a try, converted by Thilina Weerasinghe. Navy SC led 7-0.
In the 26th minute of the game referee Dinka Peiris awarded a penalty to Army SC and full back Gayan Salinda put over the 30 metre kick. Navy SC led 7-3.
Two minutes later Army SC centre Sameera Bulathsinghala scored another five points for his team and with the conversion by Gayan Salinda Army SC led 10-7. Navy SC scored their second try in the 33rd minute of the first half as Stephan Gregory broke the Army SC defence line following a move of three phases. He threw a sensational dummy to mesmerize the fringe defenders to score beside the posts to open up the game and Thilina Weerasinghe made an easy kick at goal to make it 14-10.
Gayan Salinda kicked off the second half as Army SC had all to play for in the crunch encounter.
In the 14th minute of the second half Navy SC second row Charith Silva scored a try in the right corner. Thilina converted with ease. Navy SC led 21-10.
A moment of individual brilliance saw Thilina Weerasinghe charge down a clearance kick from Army’s Gayan Salinda to collect and dive over near the right corner flag . Thilina added the extras.
In the 70th minute Navy SC were handicapped after referee Dinka Peiris sin-binned Navy SC flanker Adeesha Weerathunga for a dangerous tackle but they went on to register a 28-10 win.