5 January 2024 06:25 pm Views - 364
By: M. Shamil Amit
Colombo, Jan. 5 (Daily Mirror) - Police Sports Club produced a superb second half rally to beat Army SC 19-10 in their SLR Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match played at the Police Park.
The winners collected their points from two goals and one try while Army SC responded with two unconverted tries.
Police SC held on to a 7-5 lead at half time and followed up with a fine second half performance before pulling off an exciting victory in the end.
Police SC opened the scoring as early as in the third minute of play when their dynamic number eight Shanaka Harshchandra went over the whitewash following a successful line-out.
Fly half Yohan Peiris made no mistake with the conversion and the home side were able to get an early advantage over their opponents.
However, Army SC came back into the game strongly as their Skipper and centre three quarter Ashan Bandara sliced through the Police SC defence to touch down for a splendid try.
The vital conversion was fluffed but the visitors were able to cut the deficit to just two points just 10 minutes before the half time.
Army SC took the lead for the first time in the game shortly after the break as dashing winger Lasantha Kumara powered his way to score an unconverted try.
But Police SC regained the lead with their second try from prop forward Hashan Fernando in the 57th minute with Peiris adding the extra points.
Police SC almost sealed the contest in their favour as centre Hirantha Perera dashed his way to score their third and decisive try in the 67th minute of play.
Peiris missed the difficult conversion but Police SC held on determinedly during the last few minutes of the game despite being handed two yellow cards on Saranga Thilakarathne and Shaveen Jayawardena. (Pix: Kushan Pathiraja)