Navy win trilling game over Army

Dialog Rugby League 2019/20

Navy SC snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Army SC at Welisara in the most exciting game of the Dialog Rugby League this far. The game ending 35 points to 34 in a nail-biting win for Navy SC.

Army SC scored in the first 5 minutes when Tomasi Caqusua broke away to score under the post. Sachin Gamage added the extra points to give the visitors an early led.

Thereafter it did not take long for Ashan Bandara to score the second try for Army. Sachin Gamage failed to convert. Army in the lead 12 points to Nil.

Army continued to dominate scoring yet again. This time it was Lahiru Rathnayake with the help of Sachin Gamage. Gamage converted cleanly. 19 point lead for Army.

Army prop forward Niroshan Dileepa was sent to the sin-bin, giving Navy the chance to put points on the board. Radeesha Seneviratne managed to plant the ball over the line and Isuru Kongahawatte made the conversion. Navy were back in the game. Scores 19 to 07 with Army leading.

After a quiet period of play Navy scored through a penalty which was won by Thilina Weerasinghe. This turned into a try-scoring opportunity for Sachinka Abeysekara. Isuru Kongahawatte added the extras points. At half time the scores read Army SC 19, Navy SC 14.

The second half was exciting with Navy opening scoring with some brilliant play from Chathura Seneviratne. Kongahawatte added the 2 extra points. Navy was in the lead for the first time in the game leading by 2 points. 21 to 19.

Navy lost 2 men who were sent to the bin. First it was Amith Gunasinghe. This was followed by a penalty try and Charith Silva sent to the bin. Army was back in the lead 26 to 21.

The last 10 minutes of the game was a thriller. It started of when Sachin Gamage attempted a drop goal which did not go through.  But Thusitha Senanayake who gathered the ball which was in play scored for Army. Army was awarded yet another penalty and added the 3 points to take a safe lead of 34 to 21.

This started the game changing moment for Navy when the forwards controlled play for Adeesha Weeratunga to score. Kongahawatte added the 2 points. It was the final moments of the game, and the host were 6 points behind.

With crowd support behind the host Navy pushed forward. Thilina Weerasinghe managed to touch down making it a crucial kick for Isuru Kongahawatte. With a mountain of pressure on Kongahawatte he obliged finishing the game in style to give Navy an unexpected but trilling win at the end.

Score at Full Time:

Navy SC: 35 (5 Tries, 5 Conversions) – Army SC 34 (5 Tries, 3 Conversions, 1 Penalty)