Air Force end first round on a high

Dialog Rugby League 2019/20

Air Force SC secured their first win of the season against CH & FC beating them 39 to 22 in the final game for both teams in the first round of the Dialog Rugby League. The game was played at the Air Force grounds in Ratmalana.

Air Force playing with home advantage scored first when James Tuteovuya pushed his way to score under the post. Charith Seneviratne made the conversion to give them a 07 point lead early in the game.

CH came back quickly to win a penalty in the Air force half which Arshad Jamaldeen converted cleanly. CH were trailing 03 points to 07.

Air Force though kept the pressure on and won 2 penalties in the process which Charith Seneviratne got through the post. Air Force were leading 13 to 03.

CH managed to go over the line thereafter when Weerakoon managed to get past the defense in the left corner. Jamaldeen failed to convert. CH were trailing by 05 points at this stage. Scores were 13 to 08 in favour of Air Force.

Air Force managed to keep possession and keep play in the CH half before James Tuteovuya touched down. Gayantha Iddamalgoda added the extra points. The host were leading 20 points to 08.

CH were down to 14 men when Sathya Ranatunga was sent to the sin bin. Air force powered their way for Fijian James Tuteovuya to score his 3^rd try under the post. Gayantha Iddamalgoda added the 2 extra points to give Air Force a good lead at half time. Scores read Air Force 27 to CH & FC 08.  

Early in the second half Air Force were awarded a penalty when Pulasthi Dasanayaka was yellow carded. But this time Iddamalgoda missed the long penalty kick. But the experienced Iddamalgoda showed his skill when he chased an up and under, collected it off the rebound and scored under the post. Nuwan Perera made no mistake with the conversion. 34 points to 08 Air force had a big lead.

CH were down and out, but skipper Rohitha Rajapaksa scored near the left flag to give them some fight. Jamaldeen made the conversion to help reduce the gap. Scores were 34 to 15.

It was a stop start situation for some time, but CH scored when Nizran Nilar touched down. Jamaldeen added the extras to narrow the lead.

A few minutes later Ramzan Amith scored a fantastic try to give Air Force an unbeatable lead. With Air force leading 39 points to 22, CH were unable to capitalize on the opportunities as the game came to an end.

Though Air force came out victorious, both teams won’t be happy with their 1^st round performances ending up as the bottom 2 teams on the table. Both teams have a lot of hard work to do before the second rounds commences.

Score at Full Time:

Air Force SC: 39 (5 Tries, 4 Conversions, 2 Penalties) – CH & FC: 22 (3 Tries, 2 Conversions, 1 Penalty)