By Vimal Perera
The pride of wearing the crowns of League and Knock out fell to nought as CR were beaten comprehensively by Plate Champions Police by 40 points (7T 3C 1 DG 1P) to 16 (2T 2P).
It was a new look Police team that outplayed CR in the back division as well as forward play. They outdrove CR at the maul as well as winning the ball by counter rucking.
CR went to halftime with a deficit of 16-23, forcing CR to ask what was going wrong as the oranges tasted bitter. Probably, they could not find an answer, and never looked like champions, while Police move to the knock-out final feeling with their performance they can be Clifford Cup Champions.
In the 3rd minute, a puzzled Police was penalized for not moving away, and Manilka Ruberu converted for CR to lead 3-0. Referee Gihan Yatawara played an advantage in the 5th minute, and advancing Police front row Hafiz Thabith completed by touching down. Still, Prince Chamara missed the conversion, which was within easy reach but carried away by the wind and Police took the lead 5-3. In the 8th minute Prince Chamara converted a penalty. Police 8-3.
CR had a chance as the Police were penalized for not rolling away, and Manilka Ruberu was right on target to reduce the points gap to 6-8.
The positive play by the Police saw Shane Hopwood set the ball to bounce closer to the goal line and the corner flag, but Sachitha Silva fumbled, denying the Police a try. Silva did not brood over his mistake but was getting assertive as he forged ahead many times and scored twice in the game.
In the 25th minute, CR was offside, and referee Yatawara played advantage. Shane Hopwood sneaked through the CR forwards and scored. Surprisingly, Prince Chamara missed the conversion. Chamara excelled in attack and scored through a drop goal, fired two penalties and a conversion.
In the 29th minute, Thenuka Nanayakakara scored off a move started by Randy Silva, but Thenuka missed the conversion as the ball went far away with the wind —Police 13 CR 11.
In the 31st minute, Shanaka Harsihchandra rounded off a move created by Sachith Silva, and Shane Hopwood converted—Police 20 CR 11. Suhiry Anthony scored for CR in the 38th minute, but Murshid Doray missed the conversion, and the teams retired for the break—Police 20 CR 16.
In the 41st minute, Prince Chamara scored off a penalty, and the Police marched ahead 23-16.
In the 49th minute, diminutive Shane Hopwood, realizing that the CR back was advancing, kicked over for Sachith Silva to collect and score. Hopwood converted, and Police harassed CR to lead 30-16.
Chamara followed with a drop goal in the 70th minute, and the Police were 33-16. Sujan Kodithuwakku (Police) saw the bin for a deliberate knock-on on, while Dorai of CR was in the bin in the 61st minute.
In another moment of luck not with Chamara, his excellent kick at goal off a penalty curved away with the wind.
Dilshan Jaya of CR saw a yellow card for jumping over a tackler, with CR desperate to score.
The icing on the cake was a red rose for coach Nilfer Ibrahim and the Police as Sachith Silva scored and Naveen Kanishka converted to give Police victory by 40 points to 16.
CT
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