CR & FC ~ News

Match Review by Graeme Overlunde

CR Cruise to Win!

CR humiliated Police at Longden place last evening with a 9 try blitz. The red army pulled of a great attack and left the Policeman asking questions of their performance. Although the Police club started strongly, they were outplayed at every opportunity and were finished off in style. CR winning 51-3.

Police started like a house on fire, spending the first quarter in CR’s half. They showed promise of playing attacking rugby but failed to stick to this plan. They took their foot of the pedal and CR moved in.

An early penalty saw Police take the lead 3- nil in the 10th minute and that was all the points they were going to get in the game. The CR backs took time to get their act together, spilling the ball each time they spread it wide and when CR did get the ball into Police territory they didn’t make use of it. An overcooked kick off a penalty, taking too long to throw the ball into the lineout, were all very basic mistakes and frustrating signs for the red shirts and their supporters during the first quarter. Then came the first try of the match. This time the backs decided to hold onto the ball and winger Rinaz (14) who crossed over at the flag raced to dot it down under the sticks. He might as well have saved his time and scored near the corner flag because the conversion by fullback Pushpakumara (15) was a shocker. To have your first attempt from right in front and miss was unforgivable

Police kept the pressure on but CR, now with points on the board, were looking more confident. Police missed their 2nd Penalty attempt and then came CR’s 2nd Try. This was initiated by a line break where center Jayasundera left his opposition for dead and made a 40 meter gain but the pass wasn’t good and Police got the scrum. CR put good pressure on the scrum and Police, who gave away possession with a silly penalty, paid for it. A quick tap and the ball change hands amongst the forwards perfectly before winger Rinaz got his 2nd Try in the corner this time. The conversion was wide and CR now led 10-3.

While most of the first half was a scrappy with each side conceding an equal number of penalties and passes going to ground, the CR forwards seemed to dominate at scrum time. Police failed to take the few opportunities they had. Their backs almost never got quick ball, and when they did, chose to kick rather than run it. Police set up a few testers for the full back and wingers with some well timed kicks but CR, who were always in position, managed to recover and clear, giving away just the one turnover.

The police were now tired and looked like they wanted to get to the half time whistle sooner than the clock. But the CR forwards, determined to increase the score line before the first half ended, enjoyed themselves at scrum time. The police forwards in comparison looked like they had just finished the graveyard shift, which said a lot about their level of fitness.

Another quick tap saw CR halfback Zulfi dance his way through the opposition before the perfect off load to Nawaz (7) who was never going to be stopped 5 meters from the line. The conversions were now getting closer to the posts. CR leads 15-3.

Police, in their last effort of the fist half, managed to get across the CR line but a try saving tackle by winger Rinaz (14) denied the police what was their best scoring opportunity of the whole game.

Coach Dwyer’s words at half time must have rattled a few cages because it was a hugely improved performance in the 2nd half. While CR had finished the first half with 3 tries to none they took a long time to get there, especially against the mediocre opposition that the Policemen offered.

It was now CR’s turn to set the house on fire. And right from the kick off they made it very clear that they were going to win and win well. The police clearance kick was charged down and CR’s 1st five eighth, Asanka (Rodda) made good ground before sending Pushpakumara over for a try at the corner. This time the conversion was successful. CR led 22 –3

The 5th Try came when CR halfback Zulfi started to find holes at each breakdown and punched his way through, always making the hard yards. He showed strength, getting over the gain line whenever he broke. The move finished with Rodda scoring at the corner. CR was now moving into top gear. Then came, one of the best two moments of the match. A brilliant 55 meter break by lock Hasitha Perera only to be brought down a few meters from the line. Its always a nice sight to see a forward make a break but this one just embarrassed the police backs, who were now showing about as much co-ordination as a new born impala.

CR just kept piling on the pressure and were camped in the police 22 for most of the 2nd half. Replacement winger Mustaq got in the first of his two tries when he showed good pace to get around his opposite number. The next Try came from a similar move where fullback Pushpakumara fended off his challenger to score at the other corner. CR now led 37-3

CR made a break from within the in-goal area, choosing to run the ball instead of clearing. This was a wonderful sight, a team, who was in a very comfortable lead, was having a go at everything. They made 70 meters before the ball was spilt. Another few good phases and some very good communication sent replacement halfback Naufer in for a Try at the corner flag

Replacement full back Sherrif converted and looked a much more confident prospect. He was by far the best of the replacements. He made a huge impact with his line breaks and was untouched while he ducked and dived through the opposition backs. He impressed from the time he got on the park and certainly put his hand up for the starting 15.
Trailing 44-3 with 10 minutes to go, both Police and our CR mascot had given up.
CR kept the pressure on and scored what was the best try of the game when number 8 Walpola got through what seemed an endless number of missed tackled by the Police. I think an old lady swinging her handbag would have made a better effort at trying to stop the charging forward. While still in his own half, Walpola got the ball away to his backs when center Rajitha Jayasundera kicked ahead and collected to send Mushatq over for his 2nd. The CR forwards and replacement backs were running good lines and finishing well and at full time the score was 51-3.

CR for most had a great game, but this isn’t the quality of opposition who could really test our side. The missed kicks, the poor lineout communication, the unforced errors, must all be put right soon. Coach Dwyer used his bench very well and while its evident that we have a great squad of talented young players we need to build on our confidence levels. You could see that CR improved with every try scored and this was the best sign of the whole game. Winning is always good but creating a winning culture will be our next challenge

Outstanding players were halfback Zulfi, loose forward Nawaz, number 8 Walpola, and prop Swarnathileke and replacement fullback Sherrif. Incidentally, if I am not mistaken, this is the first time in the history of CR rugby that we have twins representing the club on the field, for the “A” Division team. They are like a Tongan nightmare!

On the lighter side of things, the CR mascot didn’t have such a good game either. Perhaps it stems from the confusion that he looks more like a cross between the devil and dung beetle. If Satan looked like that we’d have nothing to worry about. A skinny man in tights isn’t really mascot material for a rugby club so someone please change his outfit before he performs the dance of the sugar plum fairy.

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