CH & FC win 1st game for the Season

CH & FC won their first game of the season defeating Navy SC in a hard fought game, 23 – 21 in the Dialog Rugby League match which was played at the Racecourse stadium.

Navy SC kicked off proceedings in gloomy conditions and the players took time to settle into the game. CH took the lead through a penalty from Samuel Maduwantha who was on target to put 3 points on the board.

It did not take long for the sailors to come back, when Chathura Senevirathne slotted over a penalty to equal the scores.

Going into half time both teams got opportunities for penalties which were converted, but overall it was  some scrappy rugby from both CH and Navy until Chathura Senevirathne made a break from the half way line well supported by the Fijian Seru Cavuilati who scored his first try of the Dialog Rugby League. Isuru Kongahawatta added the extra points.

At half time Navy was in the lead, 13 – 06.

CH did not start the 2^nd half well conceding 3 points once again due to some indiscipline rugby which Chathura Senevirathne accepted to strengthen the lead.

Thereafter the Fijian, Seru Cavuilati scored his 2^nd try of the game taking his opponents off guard and diving over the line to touch down. Chathura Senevirathne failed to convert, but Navy were leading by 15 points, 21 – 06.

CH brought on several replacements to change the momentum of the game, and things went in their favor when star player Seru Cavuilati was sent to the bin.

CH came back with a much needed try through Sudarshana Mututhantri from a maul, which was converted by Samuel Maduwantha who had an excellent game. CH narrowed the gap, 13 – 21.

Things did not go well for Navy thereafter when Radeesha Senevirathne was sent to the bin, they had to contain with 14 men. With five minutes left to go, a well-executed penalty by Samuel Maduwantha got CH another 3 points on the board, now trailing 16 – 21.  

A last minute try equaled scores for CH when Chathura Dilshan dove over the line to score. Samuel Maduwantha’s return back into the side made a huge difference for CH, as he did the final touches to win the game with the 2 extra points. This was the 1^st win for CH & FC this season.

Score at Full Time:

CH & FC 23 (2 Tries, 2 Conversions, 3 Penalties) – Navy SC 21 (2 Tries, 1 Conversion, 3 Penalties)