By Ranjika Perera

[caption id="attachment_155497" align="alignleft" width="357"] Thenuka Nanayakkara scored 13 points to steal the win for CH&FC against Air Force in the first leg of the Air Force Commanders Cup rugby encounter at Ratmalana on Friday (13). (File Photo)[/caption]

Former Peterite fly-half Thenuka Nanayakkara scored 13 points, including the winning penalty in the last minute, to steal the win for CH&FC in the first leg of the Air Force Commanders Cup rugby encounter against Air Force at Ratmalana on Friday (13). The full time score read CH&FC 23 and Air Force SC 21.

After 20 months of absence, the Sri Lankan rugby community was treated with a thrilling match between the two premier clubs. The evening was graced by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Airmen open scoring

The two teams took their time to settle down to rhythm and it was the hosts who opened the scoring with a penalty by Gayantha Iddamalgoda.

CH responded immediately with a converted try through Sudam Sooriyarachchi. The strong back-line of CH worked their way close to the line and Sooriyarachchi cut back infield to score.

Half-time score 13-6 for CH

Both teams looked rusty through the game and it gave an opportunity for the spot kickers to take the lead. Before the break, Nanayakkara added two penalties while Iddamalgoda added a three pointer to settle scores at 13-6 in the first half.

The second half started off with the second converted try for Sooriyarachchi. He benefitted off a bulldozing run from Omalka Karunarathne who broke in deep inside the 22. Nanayakkara added the extras.

Airmen reach within two points from CH

[caption id="attachment_155499" align="alignleft" width="422"] Air Force Captain Kosala N. Perera (on left) with CH Skipper Prasath Madushanka with the Air Force Commanders Cup[/caption]

The tides changed after the try and the Airmen dominated possession. Their first try of the match came through hooker Parakrama Rathnayake who was pushed over the line from a stunning rolling maul.

Matters got worse for CH when Malinga Shehan was sin-binned and it led to the second try for Air Force. With the successful conversion, it got the home side within two points of CH.

Just two minutes to go

Less than ten minutes on the clock, another yellow card was shown to CH’s forward Senura Perera, after multiple infringements from the visitors.

It provided a chance for Iddamalgoda to put his team ahead and he did so, with just two minutes remaining on the clock.

After the restart, CH conceded a scrum through a knock on. Their forwards stepped up and earned a penalty which was converted by Nanayakkara to steal the win.

Second stage

The second stage of the event is planned to be held on Friday, 20 August at 4.30 p.m. at the same venue, Ratmalana. The matches are held under the supervision of the Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

Matches will be streamed live on the Papare website and Dialog TV Channel 118.

TEAMS

CH&FC:

Prasath Madushanka (Capt.), Joel Perera, Senura Perera, Yohan Fernando, Wajid Fawmy, danushka Malitha, Shehan Diasz, Omalka Gunaratna, Sudam Sooriyaarachchi, Avishka Lee, Reza Raffaideen, Hirantha Perera, Janidu Dilshan, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Rashen Gunawardena, Avantha Lee, Hirusha Sampath, Chinthaka Lahiru, Shemal Weerasekara, Danushka Malitha, Udara Lakshan, Shenuka Herath, and Malinga Sheshan

Head Coach - Rohitha Rajapaksa, Forwards Coach - Rajeev Perera

SRI LANKA AIR FORCE:

Kosala N. Perera (Capt.), U.V.P.N.S. Weralla, W.M.S. Bandara, S.S.M. Kaushan, H.R. Wasantha, G.J.A. Senavirathna, M.M.G. Iddamalgoda, R.P. Medagedera, J.P.I. Madushan, R.M.P.S.B. Rathnayake, U.N.G. Silva, H.M.R. Perera, W.W.S.S.H. Thilakarathne, K.N.W. Wickramasinghe, G.L.D. Weerasinghe, G.M.I.C. Aponsu, R.A. Hettiarachchi, K.H.R. Madusanka, Y.D. Perera, M.A.S. Fernando, A.T.D. Dabare, A.K.M.F. Ali, and K.G.C.B. Karunarathne