Strongly-built Fijian outside centre Kaliova Mocetadra put in a masterclass in physicality while scoring a try and being involved in at least two try assists, as Police SC overpowered Army SC 30-10 in their Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League first-round match at Police Park yesterday (17).

Mocetadra provided the cutting edge to the Police team overall with his barnstorming runs as the second centre while constantly offloading to his mates, as Army struggled to contain the home team’s overseas recruit and caved in.

The winners, who led 17-5 at the break, scored from five tries with one of them being converted apart from a penalty goal, while the visitors could only muster a try each in either half and failed to match the former.

For Police, right wing Sujan Kodithuwakku led the way with a brace, while Mocetadra, lock Heshan Kalhara, and openside flanker Sameera Jayasinghe also scored a try each, with full back Pasindu Tharaka adding the conversion and substitute centre Prince Chamara firing over a penalty.

For Army, right wing Prasanna Jayathunga and blindside flanker Tharun Warnasooriya had a touchdown apiece in a gallant effort to turn tables on their hosts, but were forced to leave the field being the second best.

The law enforcement officers drew first blood in the third minute when Kalhara scored off a forwards’ rush following a five-metre scrum and with the failed conversion led 5-0.

Nine minutes later the Soldiers struck back through wing Jayathunga, who scored after being offloaded by his skipper and left wing Sudaraka Dikkumbura, but the fluffed conversion meant scores were tied at 5-all.

In the 20th minute, Kaliova, who was in the thick of action, scored using his sheer physicality to power through a disarrayed Army defence, and again with the missed conversion led 10-5.

On the stroke of half-time, Police took a stranglehold of the game when flanker Jayasinghe scored and, with Tharaka adding the extras, went to the sheds with a lead of 17-5.

After the turnaround, right wing Kodithuwakku grabbed two five-pointers in the 68th and 77th minutes, while Tharaka and Chamara combined to slot a conversion and a penalty, respectively, for good measure for the Policemen.

For the Soldiers, their sole scoring was done in the second half by flanker Warnasooriya in the 45th minute, as they came unstruck following a morale-boosting win over Navy the previous week. 

(JK)