Sri Lions Sports Club, the newcomers to the inter club A division league rugby tournament scored their maiden win as they beat CH and FC 25-21 in a thriller at the Race Course ground in Colombo yesterday.
Despite an underdog status losing four matches on the trot, the Sri Lions came out in all their roars to deliver a spirited performance while leading 10-7 at halftime and maintaining their momentum to clinch their maiden triumph in the tournament.
The Lions scored two goals, one try and two penalties for their 25 points while CH and FC scored three goals for their 21 points. The game began with a defensive deadlock until CH and FC broke through in the 28th minute.
Ravindu Anjula’s brilliant evasion of tackles near the posts earned the Gymkhana Club their first try which Janith Chandimal converted for a 7-0 lead.
Sri Lions responded in the 36th minute when Kaveesha Induranga powered over the line and skipper and fullback Kevin Dixon’s conversion tied the score at 7-7.
Dixon’s 35-meter penalty on the brink of halftime gave Sri Lions a slender 10-7 lead. They extended their advantage early in the second half with Janith Chandimal’s converted try making it 17-7.
CH and FC narrowed the gap through lock forward Nirosh Perera’s try converted by Chandimal, bringing the score to 17-14.
However, the Sri Lions regained control as flanker Shehan Dias touched down for an unconverted try and fullback Dixon added a penalty to stretch the lead to 25-14 in the 73rd minute.
Despite a late surge by CH and FC with Dhamod Kilan’s lightning-fast try under the posts and Chandimal’s conversion reducing the margin to 25-21, the Sri Lions held their nerve to secure a historic win.
