Army SC hold CH&FC to a draw in season opener .

Dialog Rugby League 2019/20

The 1^st game of the Dialog Rugby League 2019/20 for CH&FC and Army SC ended in an 8 all draw at the race course grounds today.

The soldiers started brilliantly and dominated the host in the initial 30 minutes of play. Fly half Ashan Bandara scored first for Army SC after gathering a loose ball from CH&FC fly Half Avishka Lee.

Army SC were well led with skipper Manoj Bandara controlling the game brilliantly. Few minutes away from half time Shehan Dias was penalized for a reckless tackle on Ranjan Jayarathna and was yellow carded close to the try line. This resulted in a penalty which was taken by Isuru Madagedara to extend the lead by a further three points.

At half time CH&FC made a few changes brining in fresh legs which made a big difference. The CH &FC forwards came in to play, and the hosts finally opened scoring in the 46^th minute with a try from Sathya Ranatunga.

CH&FC kept piling on the pressure, and in the 62nd minute of the game due to a reckless tackle from Upul Abeyaratna on Avishka Lee they were awarded a penalty which star player Samuel Maduwantha converted to equal the scores.

Coming into the final 20 minutes of the game Army SC took their chances on two long distance penalties, but Madagedara failed to convert. During the last minute of play CH & FC got an opportunity to go into the lead, but Samual Maduwantha missed to get the ball between the posts.  

Score at Full Time: CH & FC 8 (1 Try, 1 Penalty) - Army SC 8 (1 Try, 1 Penalty)