CR keep Grand Final hopes alive

Mursheed Doray on an attacking move for CR & FC (Photo credits: Eshan Fernando)

CR & FC's Chatura Seneviratne (second from left) is held by CH & FC skipper Janidu Dilshan 

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR & FC produced a determined and disciplined performance to record a hard-fought 26-point (3 tries, 1 penalty try, 2 conversions) to 16-point (2 tries, 2 penalties) bonus-point victory over CH & FC in a Super Round Inter Club Rugby encounter which was worked off at the Race Course ground last evening.
The Reds keep their hopes of reaching the Grand Final very much alive with one more super round encounter remaining on Valentine’s Day at Longdon Place, which will likely decide the venue, either Longdon Place or Nittawela.
At the short breather, CR led 14-8.
Reds drew first blood in the 5th minute of the game at the left corner flag with their dashing winger, Chamod Muthunayake, touching down. Thenuka Nanayakkara made a beautiful corner flag conversion. CH got back in the 12th minute through a forwards rush ending in Pulasthi Dissanayake touching down to cut the deficit to 2 points. 
CR responded with a superb attacking play when Mursheed Doray handed off a few defenders to score a magnificent try for Reds. Thenuka added the extra 2 points. CH full back Janith Chandimal put over two penalties to cut the difference to just 3 points.
CR, who had attacking opportunities, scored through a powerful run by Chatura Seneviratne, and CR added another penalty try. Sadly, CH ran out of options and forgot their basics in the last 10 minutes, never in a hurry to score twice. Their lethargic approach and wrong kicking options cost them the game plus probably a grand final appearance. CH struck very late through Matthew Setele, whose strong running breached the CR defence, but it was too late to make a comeback.
For CR, Navin Marasinghe, Mursheed and Thenuka played well, while for CH, Janidu Dilshan, Pulasthi and Shabith Musheen played their hearts out.
Referee Meitetsu Simzu (Japan) controlled the game. Kandy leads the points table with 51 points, followed by CR at 48. A win or draw next weekend will give the defending champions, Kandy SC, a home Grand Finale at Nittawela.