After a long overdue, the match between Havelocks SC and Hambanthota Sharks kicked off today at Longden Place which was chosen as a neutral venue for the game.
Havelocks SC who were fresh after a resounding victory over Kandy SC last week managed to thump Hambanthota Sharks 68-17 in their final game in the first round. Havies also managed to secure the all-important bonus point going into the second round.
Mohamed Sheriff busts through early on in the game giving out warning signs that Havelocks SC means business. And it wasn’t long before Sheriff started another move that resulted in Joe Brown scoring the first try of the game after some beautiful bit of footwork. Dulaj Perera who started at flyhalf for the first time this season added the extra points as Havies lead 7-0.
Dew Anand had an opportunity to open the scoring for Sharks with a 40m penalty, but his accuracy was not to its best. Havelocks hit back immediately after when Sadun Herath found the ball on the right flank to burst his way through. Perera missed a difficult conversion from the corner on this occasion as the scores remained 12-0.
Sadun Herath scored his second after receiving the ball from the scrum as Havelocks edged closer towards earning a well-deserved bonus point. Perera failed to add the extra points from a similar position as earlier. Havies lead 17-0.
Niranjan Wickramarathne opened the scoring for the Sharks who finally found some solace off a good line out. Wickramarathne outpaced his opposite number by running around the Havelocks defender to score on the right corner flag. Dew Anand added the extra points off a difficult kick to make it 17-07.
Captain Sudarshan Muthuthanthri secured the bonus point for Havelocks SC with a try of his own. The talismanic captain has been a livewire for Havies this season. Perera missed his third conversion as the scores read 22-07 in favour of the Havelock Park boys.
Joe Brown managed to score his second of the game which was set up by the Havelocks forwards who shoved their way through towards the try line. Mohamed Sheriff failed to add the extra points with a wayward kick.
Sharks finally managed to capitalize on the extra man situation as Niranjan Wickramarathna went on to score his second with a brilliant display of speed and agility on the stroke of half time. Dew Anand added the extra points with another brilliant kick. However, Havelocks SC lead 27-14 at half time.
Dew Anand opens the scoring for Sharks with a very good 35m penalty for his team as the scores read 27-17.
Havelocks hit back once again through Shehan Pathirana. Joe Brown added the extra points as the defending champions lead 34-17. Referee D. Nimal was replaced by Dimithra Gunasekara due to a small injury suffered while officiating.
Havelocks continue to apply pressure as Joe Brown added three more points on the board with the first penalty for Havelocks SC. The scores at 37-17 gave the defending champions a 20 point lead
Rehan Thygarajah scored his first of the game, but it was Joe Brown who made the initial break through with a brilliant run down the left flank. Dulaj Perera added the extra points this time as Havies kept racing ahead with the scores 44-17.
Sadun Herath completed his hatrick with another superb try on the right flank as Havelocks continued to increase their dominance. Brown added the icing on the cake with a stupendous conversion to make it 51-17 in favour of Havies.
Havelocks continued to use the speed guns to good effect as Rehan Thayagarajah bursted through with a 70m run right under the post to extend the Havies lead. Perera added the extra points to make it 58-17.
Dulaj Perera went on to score the tenth try of the game for Havelocks, as the young flyhalf would help his cause as well going into the second round.
Joe Brown completed his hatrick on the stroke of full time as Havelocks secured a resounding victory at Longden Place against a hapless Sharks.
