Defence Services clinch President Rajapaksa Trophy
Chris Dhambarage
The Defence Services team created history when they defeated the Sri
Lanka Rugby Football Union side by 15 points to 6 in the inaugural rugby
encounter played for the President Rajapaksa Trophy at the Sri Lanka
Navy Sports Club grounds in Welisara yesterday.
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Defence Services No. 8 Namal Rajapaksa making a break with a
host of SLRFU XV defenders making a vain attempt to foil him in
their match played at Welisara yesterday which Defence Services
won 15-6. Picture by Kavindra Perera |
The winners collected their points from three penalties and two drop
goals after having led 9-6 at half time. The SLRFU team managed to put
over only two penalties.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at this occasion
presented the President Rajapaksa Trophy to the captain of the Defence
Services team Yoshitha Rajapaksa after the match.
The game of course did not reach great heights and was disappointing
that it was decided on penalties without a single try been scored. One
reason of course was the absence of some of the star players from the
champion Kandy SC team who pulled out from the SLRFU squad at the last
moment.
The other reason was that the players from both teams were prepared
to play risk free rugby while indulging more on kicking tactics. In fact
the game turned out to be a battle between the two place kickers Dev
Anand for the Defence Services and Reza Mubarak for the SLRFU XV.
Dynamic fly half Dev Anand was able to put his side in front almost
with the kick off with a splendid drop goal from 25 metres out. He got
his act together quite early and continued from where he left following
a tremendous season for his club Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in the
concluded Caltex inter club League tournament.
Incidentally the Defence Services team completely dominated the
initial stages of the game while creating more scoring opportunities
through their forwards. They could have crossed the SLRFU goal line at
least on a couple of occasions but lacked the finishing touches. Even
then the SLRFU side came back strongly midway in the first half and
showed signs of threatening to build up a good lead with the forwards
spearheaded by CR and FC flanker Ashen Karthelis leading the way.
They levelled the scores 6-6 following back to back penalties from
Reza Mubarak who was performing his role magnificently in addition to
relieving pressure with his long kicks to touch.
However Dev Anand successfully fired across his second penalty of the
match from 30 metres out as the Defence Services team went into half
time with a close 9-6 lead. They were able to keep the pressure on,
throughout the second half with Dev Anand executing another drop goal
before adding the finishing touches with his third penalty of the match
ten minutes from full time.
Referee: Dinka Peiris. |
