By: M. Shamil Amit

Colombo, Dec. 29 (Daily Mirror) - CR and FC pulled off a hard-fought 28-23 victory over arch-rivals CH and FC in their Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match played at Longden Place.

The winners collected their points from one goal, three tries and two penalties after having led 13-10 at half time while the CH and FC responded with two goals and three penalties.

CR and FC drew first blood in the 10th minute through a penalty from fly half Thenuka Nanayakkara before Hirusha Nethmina produced the equaliser with a similar effort 11 minutes later.

Number eight Lasindu Karunathilake put the CR and FC ahead with a superb try in the 27th minute of play and dashing centre three quarter Randy Silva touched down shortly before the half time to give the home side a 13-3 lead.

However, the CH and FC came back into the game on the stroke of half time as hooker Prasath Madushanka went over for a push over try with Nethmina adding the extra points.

The CR and FC started the second half in style as winger Manilka Ruberu cut through the CH and FC defence to score an unconverted try in the 45th minute of play.

The CH and FC were rewarded for their hard work as Dinesh Lakshan went over the whitewash a minute later with Nethmina making no mistake with the conversion.

Achitha Radeeshan scored CR and FC’s fourth try in the 59th minute and Nanayakkara added the extra points to make it 25-17.

A few minutes later, Nethmina fired across his second penalty for CH and FC to reduce the deficit (20-25) but Nanayakkara was equally brilliant with his second penalty in the 69th minute.

Nethmina landed his third penalty in the 74th minute of play but the CR and FC held on determinedly during the dying moments of the game to record an exciting victory. (Pix: Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Army down Navy

Meanwhile, Army SC produced a fine second half rally to beat Navy SC 29-17 in another Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament match played at Panagoda.

Army SC led 17-7 at half time but they cut loose in the second half to finish with two goals and three tries while the Sailors responded with two goals and a penalty.

Nalan Premarathna, Lahiru Rathnayaka, Dilshara Kodagoda, Lasantha Kumara and Ashan Bandara scored a try each for the Soldiers with the latter converting two tries.

Dimuth Perera and Lahiru Herath scored a try each for Navy SC, who played with 14-men throughout the second half after Saviru Nimsika was handed a red card in the 39th minute of play. (Pix: Kushan Pathiraja)