A gift of a try by Navy SC saw them go down fighting to CR & FC by a narrow 27 points to 24 in a Dialog Rugby League game played at Longdon Place yesterday.
With that gifted try the Red Shirts took the lead to 14 points but Navy fought back gallantly in the second half only to run out of ideas and possession to be pipped out. CR obtained their points through three tries, three conversions and two penalties while Navy also obtained three tries, three conversions but had only one penalty.
CR scored first in the second minute when they were offered a penalty and acting skipper Reeza Refaideen kicked right.
Navy found the equalizer when Isuru Kongahawatte put over a penalty from 40 metres out.
Navy scored again through a try by Charith Silva who went through off a three-quarter move after taking a short tap.
Isuru Kongahawatte converted to give them a 10-3 lead by the 25th minute.
CR were by this time looking for a way to score that never seemed to come that easily with Navy SC tackling resolutely.
But they found a way in the 32nd minute when they won a scrum and on working the line saw them create a surprise move with winger Refaideen coming inside and on receiving the pass back found the gap and went through for a try. He converted it himself to level on the scores 10-all.
CR went ahead on the stroke of half time when centre Gayan Dilshan spotted a gap and went over. Refaideen added the extra points to lead 17-10.
It was on the third minute after the turn around that CR got this gift of a try as Janidu Dilshan capitalized on the Navy mistake and picked up the loose ball and darted over 30 metres to score.
Refaideen converted once again to increase the lead to 24-10. Ten minutes later Navy scored a try by Charith Janitha when they won a line-out and barged over with Tanuja Malinbada holding on to the ball.
Kongahawatte converted and reduced the deficit.
CR won a penalty for a high tackle and Refaideen converted from 30 metres out to take a ten point lead.
Navy scored next through another forwards move that powered their way. Kongahawatte converted to make the difference to just three points.
CR scored a try in the dying minutes but it was disallowed due to a shoulder charge by one of their players.