Air Force Sports Club registered their second win in the SLR inter-club league rugby championship overcoming an injury hit Army Sports Club by 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion) to 05 (1 try) in a low-scoring game played at Ratmalana yesterday.
At halftime the winners led 12-0.
The Airmen, who came up with stupendous performances in their victorious game against CR & FC and a close call loss of 22-26 against Havelocks, gave an excellent display both in attack as well as in defence in yesterday’s game.
Air Force managed to hold on to their nerves from the first whistle to gradually turn the game in their favour. The scoring was opened in the 23rd minute by hooker Parakrama Ratnayake, who ran all the way to score a try, with the conversion slotted in by fly half Gayantha Iddamalgoda and the Airmen went into a 7-0 lead.
In the 28th minute of the game Air Force second row forward Ravindu Anjula went over for an unconverted try as they stretched the lead 12 points to nil.
Even after the turnaround the Airmen played in the same manner as during the first half to keep the Army team at bay, but they lost their temperament in the 78th minute, conceding an unconverted try. Wing three-quarter Sudaraka Dikkumbura made sure he exploited the scoring opportunity which Army received in their favour by touching down for a try.
Even with that try, still the game didn’t have any impact on the visitors. Both Soorya Krishan of the Air Force and Lasantha Kumara of the Army were given yellow cards by the referee for foul play. Finally the Airmen ended worthy winners by 12 points to 5 when the final whistle was blown.
Referee- Isuru Perera