Police SC register 30–10 victory over Army SC

Police Sports Club produced their best performance of the season to record a convincing 30 points (one goal, four tries, one penalty) to 10 (two tries) win over Army Sports Club in their Maliban Trophy Inter-club A Division League Rugby Tournament match played at the Police Grounds yesterday, after taking a 17–5 lead at halftime.

Police opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Heshan Kalhara crossed for an early try to give the hosts a 5–0 lead. Army responded in the 13th minute through winger Prasanna Jayatunga, who finished a sharp move near the right corner after taking a pass from captain Sudharaka Dikkumbura, levelling the scores at 5–all.

Army suffered a setback in the 19th minute when skipper Sudharaka Dikkumbura was sent to the sin bin, leaving the visitors with 14 men at a crucial stage. Police quickly made the numerical advantage count in the 20th minute as foreign centre Kaliova Mocetadra powered through for a try, which was converted by fullback Pasindu Tharuka to restore a 12–5 lead.

Police were briefly reduced to 14 men in the 28th minute following a yellow card, but they continued to apply pressure. Sameera Jayasinghe dived over for Police’s third try, and although the conversion was missed, the hosts went into the break leading 17–5.

Army showed some fight after the restart, with Tharun Warnasooriya scoring a try in the 50th minute to reduce the gap to 17–10. However, Police stayed composed and tightened their defence.

Substitute Prince Chamara extended Police’s lead in the 66th minute with a well-struck 35-metre penalty to make it 20–10. Moments later, fly-half Sujan Kodithuwakku broke through the left corner for another try, pushing the score to 25–10 despite the missed conversion.

Kodithuwakku then sealed the result in the 77th minute, touching down again in the mid-right for an unconverted try, taking Police to a strong 30–10 lead.

At the final whistle, Police Sports Club celebrated a strong 30–10 victory, registering their third win of the season with a strong all-round performance.