NAVAL BASE, Welisara: (ePRESS) – CH and FC produced a dazzling second-half performance to thrash Navy Sports Club 59-16 in a Plate Segment match of the Mastercard Inter-club ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament at Welisara. After a closely contested first half, where CH and FC led by a narrow 12-11 margin, they ran riot in the second half to pile up nine tries and register a dominant victory.
CH and FC scored seven converted tries and two unconverted tries, while Navy SC, still searching for their first win of the season, managed only two tries and two penalties.
Navy SC opened the scoring in the fourth minute through stand-in captain Thilina Weerasinghe, who slotted a 20-meter penalty to give his team a 3-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the 13th minute when hooker Pradeep Ranaweera crashed over after a well-supported move. The unconverted try pushed the Sailors ahead to 8-0.
The home side added another penalty in the 30th minute to stretch their lead to 11-0, putting CH and FC under early pressure.
However, CH and FC responded in the 35th minute when prop forward Charith Silva powered through near the right post to score their first try. Kavindu Yasas converted, reducing the deficit to 7-11. Just before halftime, Dinesh de Silva touched down for CH and FC’s second try, though the conversion was missed. At the break, the Gymkhana Club had edged ahead 12-11.
The second half saw CH and FC shift into high gear. Two minutes after the restart, skipper Janidu Dilshan crossed the left corner for an unconverted try, extending the lead to 17-11 in the 44th minute.
Tensions flared as players exchanged words, prompting referee Charani Liyanage to consult the touch judges. As a result, Hansika Silva and Kavindu Yasas were both sin-binned, reducing CH and FC to 13 men. Despite this, Janith Chandimal converted a penalty to increase the lead to 24-11 in the 49th minute.
Dinesh de Silva struck again in the 53rd minute, touching down under the posts. Chandimal’s successful conversion took the score to 31-11. Three minutes later, fullback Pasindu Bandara sprinted from inside CH and FC’s own 22-meter line to score, with Chandimal converting for a 38-11 lead.
Flanker Ravindu Anjula added another try in the 61st minute, with Chandimal once again converting to take the score to 45-11. Navy SC briefly responded in the 67th minute through a try from Dimuth Silva in the right corner, but the score still read 45-16 in CH and FC’s favor.
Replacement scrum-half Thanuja Dilshan put the game beyond doubt with a quickfire double. His first try in the 72nd minute, converted by Chandimal, took CH and FC past the 50-point mark. In the 79th minute, Dilshan showcased dazzling footwork to score again, with Chandimal adding the extras to seal a stunning 59-16 triumph.
With this commanding second-half display, CH and FC handed Navy SC another crushing defeat in a season where the Sailors have struggled. Coach Sanath Martis’ charges from Maitland Crescent showed attacking brilliance and defensive resilience, marking a dominant performance in the Plate Segment.
Referee: Charani Liyanage
Isuru Madurapperuma/Thepapare.com
