The last week of the first round match between Havelock SC and Hambanthota Sharks which was initially scheduled to be played at Beliatta was later changed to play at Havelock Park.
The Havies eased passed Sharks with hat-tricks to both the Tuskers, Mithun Hapugoda and Danushka Ranjan. Full time Havelock 43 (T7, C4) – Sharks 10 (T1, C1,P1)
Dulaj Perera kicked off the New Year to start the proceedings for the men in pink. Although the Havies managed to hold on position 70% of the game, it was the Sharks who scored the early points through the veteran Amjad Buksh from a 32m penalty which was due to the Havies No8 Josh Kaifa not rolling away after the tackle.
Bothe teams displayed a poor show in terms of ball handling skills which is something not acceptable at such a premier level. Nevertheless, the hosts’ intentions were very clear from the start; nothing but a bonus point win.
It took more than a quarter for Havies to score the first try which came from a lovely move where Mithun Hapugoda sent a missed- pass to Sandun Herath and his off load to Danushka Ranjan was pleasing to watch near the try line. In the 31st minute Havies sent out the ball wide from the lineout on the 22m line and Mithun Hapugoda made it look simple. Dulaj converted the first but hit the uprights on the second. (Havelock’s 12 – 03 Sharks)
As the Sharks defense went wobbly Havies scored two more tries and secured the much needed bonus points before the half time. Another line move which went to Josh Kaifa in the center field and he passed to Mithun who had Hirantha Perera on his left and no defenders in front and thus he went with an inside pass to Sandun who had a deserved try. Soon after that Dulaj made a cross move to Mithun who outclassed three Sharks defenders with his dancing feet to increase the score. Dulaj missed the third conversion but nailed the bonus try. (Havelock’s 24 – 03 Sharks)
Half Time : Havelock 24 (T4, C2) – Sharks 03 (P1)
With the restart, the Sharks fired some aggression, earlier in the first half the acting captain Amjad Buksh played as a fly half. Never attacked or worked inside their own 50m instead kicked a good up & under which Havies did not enjoy too much. Dulaj’s high kick from the Havies 22m had Wagawulagi Emori and Lahiru Sachintha in trouble as neither wanted to collect it but Ranjan who charged the kick with a perfect eye on the ball ran a scintillating try in the left corner. (Havelock’s 29 – 03 Sharks)
Sharks players continued to try hard but did not seemed to be gelled enough in the defensive structure and also Joseph Dunn and Emori could not make a huge impact despite one good run by Emori which he could not convert in to points in the opposite 5m. Thusitha Samarathilaka’s indiscipline in the ruck was peanilsed and he was sinbinned, Buksh missed an easy penalty which went just wide in the 72nd minute of the game. Just before the final whistle, Danushka Ranjan scored his first hat-trick of the season in the left corner which was converted by Hirantha Perera. (Havelock’s 43 – 10 Sharks)Brother of Emori, Stephen Sitiveri who was out for a blood injury was back and played a lonely game. He made a sparkling move to break the defence from the 50m and entered the opposite red zone. Hosts infringed in the ruck allowed Sitiveri to take a quick tap and gear up to fly pass the try line. Buksh made no mistakes with extras. In the other camp Mithun Hapugoda did similar carrying his side as Havelock’s reached the opposite 5m from the restart. Sharks playing off side and as a result Mithun took a quick tap and completed his hat-trick. Dulaj bisected the uprights. (Havelock’s 36 – 10 Sharks)
Full Time : Havelock 43 (T7, C4) – Sharks 10 (T1, C1,P1)
Referee – Khalid Hilmy (Singapore)
ThePapare player of the match – Mithun Hapugoda
Quotes : Winning coach Glen Christini shared his views after the match “Boys are too excited to score with aggression as a result they lost position and made some errors in the first half, It is a good win however after a week off”.
Sharks coach Nilfer Ibrahim stated that “this is not the start we wanted but boys have so much to improve and they are still not playing enough to their potential”
Havelocks
Mithun Hapugoda, Sandun Herath, Mapa Tuiplotu, Danushka Ranjan, Hirantha Perera, Dulaj Perera, Kavindu De Costa, Josh Kaifa, Sudarshana Muthuthantri (C), Shehan Pathirana, Senal Dias, Ranga Perera, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Liston Karunanayaka, Ganuka Dissanayaka
Replacements – Ashen Darling, Thusitha Samarathilaka, Senal Deelaka, Dirun Warnakulasuriya, Taufa Sione, Villiami Tahitua, Mathiew Gunasekera, Jason Melder
Sharks
Priyantha Ekenayaka, Lahiru Sachintha, Joseph Dunn, Rajitha Samaranayaka, Ramadas Rumesh, Amjad buksh (C), Rizwan Mohamed, Rizwan Nazar, lahiru Mudalige, Stephen Sitiveri, Andrew Jegan, Niraj Gurusinghe, Gayan Dilshan, Ijas Mohamed, Udaya Kumara
Replacements – Shehan perera, Dimal jayasinghe, Pubudu Kodagoda, Rizvi Mohamed, Sathsara Basnayaka, Vishwa Wijaya, Wagawulagi Emori, Gihan Dhanushka
