Air Force Sports Club secured their place in the Super Round of the Mastercard Inter-club ‘A’ Division League Tournament with a hard-fought 27 (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) to 19 (2 goals, 1 try) victory over Army Sports Club at Army Grounds, Panagoda yesterday.
After leading 15-12 at halftime, the Airmen sealed the win with a late surge, earning a bonus-point try to confirm their qualification for the Super Round for the first time in 13 years.
Army SC made a blistering start, scoring in the opening minute through prop forward Buddhi Shrimantha, who powered over the line. Fullback Isuru Medagedara put over the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Air Force responded in the 11th minute when hooker Shamika Kaushan finished off a rolling maul for his ninth try of the season. However, Army extended their advantage in the 16th minute as Chalika Sandaruwan crossed over, making it 12-5.
Pramod Padmasanka cut the deficit with a 22-metre penalty before Air Force took the lead just before half time. Prop forward Nirmal Wickramasinghe crashed over under the post, and Padmasanka’s conversion put the visitors ahead 15-12 at the break.
Army regained the lead in the 58th minute when Manoj Kumara intercepted a pass and sprinted to the right corner. Medagedara’s conversion made it 19-15.
However, Air Force hit back through Kaushan, who completed his brace off another driving maul in the 68th minute, giving his side a 20-19 edge.
With just minutes left, Darshana Dabare outfoxed the Army defence to score mid-right, sealing victory. Gayantha Iddamalgoda’s conversion made it 27-19, securing Air Force’s historic return to the Super Round.
Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon.
