Havelocks Sports Club facing their first major acid test of the league taking on the Upcountry Lions was successful in holding on to their unbeaten tag, with a 36-25 score line.
The pre-game anticipation was intense considering the home side, Havelocks, was to face their biggest challenge of the league facing off with a fiery Lions side. The game did not disappoint as the intensity was high right through the game.
Both sides were on the board early on with Dushmatha Priyadarshana for Havelocks and Peniasi Tokakece for the Lions. The respective place kickers were unsuccessful with the score reading 5 all. The game went to top gear with a fiery pace, which looked like the Lions playing at pace to the tune of the home team.
Havelocks faced stiff opposition from the Upcountry Lions forwards, but the home team matched the forward attack and with numerous phases were successful in going over with their colossal number 8 Daniel Faleafa scoring. Williami Hakaloa had no problem with the conversion and gave his side the lead 12-5. Hakaloa was once more in the thick of things with an eye opening solitary performance as he weaved his way changing his running lines to leave the defense stupefied and go over to score. Taking the conversion himself the Havelocks foreign service put another 7 points on the board. 19-5 Havelocks. On the verge of the half the Nigel Ratwatte succeeded in putting a penalty and missing another, putting the score at 19-8 at the short whistle.
The Lions bought themselves into the game early in the 2nd half with Kanchana Ramanayake scoring. Nigel Ratwatte booted the 2fer brilliantly to bring the Lions back into a fighting position, 19-15. And then it was, arguably, the turning point of the match as Mithun Hapugoda intercepted Dilan Soyza’s pass to score. A rash decision by Soyza for a quick tap and a wayward pass without support saw the watchful Mithun Hapugoda, who was filling the wing three quarter berth to fill the absence of Chamara Dhabare, speeding over the line. Hakaloa completing the formalities the home side extended their lead, 26-15.
Havies suffered a blow deep in to the 2nd half with play maker Williami Hakaloa being yellow carded. The ensuing penalty was put over by Nigel Ratwatte 26-18. The home side held their composure in the absence of Hakaloa and found some new talent in Mohamed Sheriff as he slotted a drop goal in catching everyone off guard. The game slipped further away from the Lions with the drop goal as the scores moved to an almost unassailable 29-18 despite an entire quarter remaining.
Havelocks coach/player Paola Kaho took the game entirely away from the visitors with a push over try and the conversion coming good the game was well and truly in the hands of the home side, 36-18. The visitors scored a consolation try courtesy of the good work of Tevita Taufui being finished off by the nippy Srinath Sooriyabandara. Ratwatte’s conversion was successful and with the kick at goal referee, Jamaldeen sounded the long whistle with the score board showing 36-25.
Catching up with Sudarshan Muthuthanthri post match he was of the opinion that the side was taking strides in the right direction towards a 100% game, which will be critical for the defending champs to face the smooth sailing Sailors and the mighty Kandians. The Lions coach Imthi Marikkar was critical about the team’s performance and stated the mistakes made during the match were costly and the intercepted pass was a key turning point.
