Gallant Soldiers fight back to give Airmen heartbreak

Army Sports Club pulled off a gallant victory against a spirited Air Force outfit by 29-25 in a enthralling Super Round encounter of the Dialog Rugby League played at Welisara yesterday.

The Soldiers were trailing 7-18 at halftime but managed to overdrive the Airmen soon after the turnaround and made sure they hold on to the lead until the final whistle.

Army accomplished their mission in placing themselves in the virtual Plate final next Saturday against the winner of today's game between Navy SC and Police SC. Army made up their tally with four tries, three conversions and a penalty. Air Force almost had it all yet fell short marginally despite scoring from three tries, two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.

Air Force opened scoring off a penalty by fullback Charitha Seneviratne in the fifth minute but Army responded swiftly through a try from Madura Bandara two minutes later. With Gayan Salinda's conversion Army led 7-3 but only for four minutes until Tuan Zamil touched down for Air Force in the 11th minute to gain a slender 8-7 lead.

With both forces failing to penetrate each others' defence lines for the next 23 minutes, the games turned into a keen battle. Out of nowhere in the 34thm minute Seneviratne shot a drop goal to put Air Force further in front by 11-7. Five minutes later Parakrama Ratnayake braced a try for Air Force and with Seneviratne's conversion they were streaming ahead by 18-7 at halftime.

Soon after the second half began the Soldiers began their onslaught and was duly paid off. Ashan Bandara touched down and Isuru Medagerada converted to have their deficit cut down to 14-18. With another try, unconverted, coming from Thirusha Adikaram in the 46th minute, Army took the lead by 19-18.

In the 68th minute Upul Abeyratne added another try for Army to which Medagedara added the extra points to have them further in the lead by 26- 18. But the spirited Airmen gave the Soldiers the scare of their life when Fijian Raduva Saumaki touched down in the 72nd minute and with Nuwan Perera making a successful conversion they closed in the gap by 25-26. A last minute penalty which was easily put over by Medagedara put matters beyond doubt as Army sealed an important 29-25 win.