CH retaliate and stun Airmen for third win
In a thrilling encounter of the SLR Club Rugby League Championship 2022 at the Racecourse ground in Colombo, CH&FC turned tables to beat dark horses Air Force by 22-15. The script was never meant to have CH with a winning end, as the Airmen led the game 12-5 at halftime, but it was changed by the marauding CH , who finally were able to find their long awaited rhythm and combination.
CH scored from three tries, two conversions and a penalty, while Air Force scored from two tries, a conversion and a penalty. The outcome of the game will put CH ahead of Air Force, as they swap the third and fourth places of the table. With the advantage of having more bonus points, CH enjoys the third position after yesterday's game but both teams are with three wins each though the Airmen have played a game extra than their opponents.
The first half belonged to Air Force, who dominated the whole show, and they were rewarded with tries as a result of their valiant efforts. Winger Tharindu Dabare found breakthroughs in the 13th and 20th minutes to land with tries as flyhalf Gayantha Iddamalgoda was successful over only in his second attempt. CH gradually approached the game and were paid off when forward Ashan Darling braced an unconverted try, but the game ended in favour of Air Force at halftime.
But CH were energetic and more shrewd after the turnaround. No.8 Omalka Gunaratne finally made a comeback to his usual form, when he landed a try in the 46th minute, and with the conversion of flyhalf Rohitha Rajapaksa CH equalised at 12-all. Not wasting a moment, CH were able to gain the lead when centre Hirantha Perera flummoxed the Air Force defence, and with Rajapaksa's conversion they led 19-12. CH added a penalty to their tally in the 66th minute after Rajapaksa put over it to make it 22-12. Three minutes later CH committed a similar error to award Air Force a penalty, which was put over by Iddamalgoda.
Air Force fought fiercely to regain the lead, only resulting in CH losing four players, flanker Shean Dias, fullback Avantha Lee, flanker Sudarshana Muthuthanthri and No.8 Gunaratne were given yellow cards in succession, yet the Airmen failed to penetrate the CH defence.