CR GRIND OUT VICTORY

Match Report by Graeme Overlunde

CR had their work cut out for them in their 2^nd round encounter with CH&FC at Longden place on Saturday. Although the match was marred by incident, CR went on to grind out a hard fought victory beating CH 15- nil to remain unbeaten.

The 1^st half saw CH testing the Red shirts and piling on the pressure. But with two missed penalties CH had points to show for their efforts. It was a very physical game and CR didn't break through the CH defense till the last minute of the first half.

From a well organized rolling maul CR marched their opponents back 25 metres to come within striking distance. CH were penalized for collapsing the maul and CR took the scrum and worked the ball on the blind side for Wekadapola to touch down in the corner. Sheriff missed the conversion and CR went into half time with a 5- nil lead.

CH kept the CR from scoring with some good defense tempered with some calculated foul play. They were happy to concede penalty after penalty to prevent CR from ever get good 2^nd phase ball and the plan, although illegal and of poor sportsmanship, seemed to work generously in their favour. The referee didn't seem to mind either.

When CH's number 6 was sent to the bin CR capitalized and scored their 2^nd try through the efforts of number 8 of Walpola, who barged through the tackle after he peeled off the ever successful rolling maul. CR seemed to have perfected this maneuver and execute it with ease and composure. They do however seem to employ this move in their own half as well which, against quality opposition, could prove to take a lot out of the forwards.

Then the rot set in. CR hooker Anuja Perera was sent to the sin bin along with the CH hooker for unruly conduct. However while they were swinging their handbags at each other, the officials on the CH (former players amongst them) were up on their feet and running on to the field to perhaps help the referee sort things out amicably. They ignored the touch official Chang telling them to get off the field as the referee was trying to calm everything down.

Then once again CH displayed their aggression when a tackle was made on a CH player near their bench. The CH forward who was sin binned decided that he should get in on the action and so did the CH officials, coaches, trainers etc. This was an absolute disgrace and though some of the more ‘enthusiastic' CR&FC supporters were no saints either, one could clearly differentiate between the players instigating the fights and those that were trying to calm it down. The result was three red cards (one to CR as well) and police officers to calm the now volatile crowd.

With remainder of the game now in the hands of two very tired and angry sides, CR managed to rub some salt in the wounds of CH when Kodagoda place his kicked perfectly for Wekadpola to collect and touch down for his 2^nd try of the evening.

CR finished 15-Nil against an opposition that could have made it very difficult for them. But CH lacked the composure and maturity to get there. Towards the end, the game may as well have been called off after another CH player was sin binned for a late tackle on full back Sheriff. 15 minutes more and we would have been playing seven-a-side rugby.

The unruly behavior by the CH was deplorable and we can only hope that the SLRFU take action against a team and their officials for bringing the game into disrepute. Rugby isn't tiddlywinks and there's nothing wrong with spilling a bit of claret be it through the comfort at the bottom of ruck or a few close quarter greetings by a front row forward but that's between the players on the field. There's no room in the game for what the CH officials and the player who was in the sin bin did. This isn't the WWF.

CR host Army next week on Saturday, August 13 th at 5pm. Bring your helmet.

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