Despite a strong 2nd half comeback by CH&FC, Havies cruised to a comfortable win by 52 points to 18.
After a disappointing end to their match against Navy last week, the Havies got the chance to bounce back against minnows CH&FC. CH&FC are yet to get a win under their belt and have been suffering heavy losses in the 2nd round.
Photo Album – Havelock SC v CH & FC (Dialog Rugby League 2015/16)
Havies started the onslaught right from the 1st whistle. CH&FC kicked off, the ball was gathered cleanly and easily worked forward by the home side; Prasad Madushan went over the line for the first try. Rimzie Jamaldeen could not convert even though it was an easy angle.
The second try came from the restart and it was almost a carbon copy of the first one. Prasad once again powered his way over the line for his second try of the day and Rimzi made no mistake this time around.
CH&FC managed to maintain possession for a long passage of play inside the Havies half, putting the home side under a lot of pressure and ultimately winning a penalty inside the 22m. Janith Chandimal bisected the uprights with ease to put the visitors’ first points on the board.
A few minutes later skipper Sandun Herath showed his speed and power by scoring a try for the hosts after a 70m run. Eranda Weerakody’s clearance kick fell straight into Rimzi’s hands, and 
he passed the ball to Sandun inside the Havies half. Sandun stepped on the gas, running through the middle with utmost ease to score under the post.
Pasindu Karunathilake scored the fourth try for the home side after Nishon Perera broke through from the half way mark. Rimzi showing his skills with the boot, sent the ball the straight through from a very acute angle.
Havies kept piling up the pressure as Hirantha Perera went over the line to score their fifth try for the day. Eranda Weerakody’s clearance kick again fell once again to Rimzie, who then passed the ball to Thusitha Samarathilaka. He chipped the ball over to Hirantha Perera, who gathered the ball to go all the way.
Nishon Perera found his way over the line a few minutes later after Sithum Peiris made the initial breakthrough from the halfway mark; Rimzi madeno mistake with the conversion.
The visitors managed to steal the ball from the restart and they made it count when they scored their first try of the match. This was only the second time they got inside the Havies half, which goes to show how the home side dominated the first half. CH&FC took a quick tap from the 22m line and it was Prasad Perera who was pushed over the line. The conversion wasn’t successful by Janith Chandimal.
Havies concluded the first half with an unconverted try by Prasad Madushan who went over the line to complete his hattrick for the match.
Half Time – Havelocks SC 45 – CH&FC 8
From what we witnessed in the first half, Havies reaching the three figure mark looked inevitable but it wasn’t the case. It was the minnows who played better rugby in the second half. It is true that the Havies did not field their strongest outfit but credit should be given to CH&FC for the fight and determination they showed in the second half.
The first few minutes were quiet but it was the Havies who broke the shackles in the second half. Niraj Gunasinghe was pushed from the 40m to the 22m mark and then Jayaruwan, taking the ball from the ruck, ran through a gap to take the score over the 50 point mark.
From that point onwards it was all CH&FC. They played with heart and most importantly they played as a team. Janith Chandimal added three points with a penalty from 22m out. CH&FC capitalized on this lackluster performance by the Havies in the second half. Their defense was brilliantly organized, not allowing the Havies to breakthrough like they did in the first half.
CH&FC scored their second try of the match a few minutes before the final whistle. Havies conceded so many penalties inside their own half, helping CH&FC to maintain possession and finally break through to score for the second time in the half. It was Lahiru Pramod who scored for the visitors but the credit should go to the whole team for the effort.
Havies were down to 14 men at the end of the game when Janika Jayasuriya was sent off for a dangerous tackle against try scorer Lahiru Pramod. Even though Havies came out as victors they will have major concerns going forward.
Full Time: Havelocks SC 52 – CH&FC 18
Point scorers for Havelocks SC – Prasad Madushan 3T, Nishon Perera 1T, Jayaruwan Malitha 1T, Sandun Herath 1T, Hirantha Perera 1T, Pasindu Karunathilaka 1T, Rimzi Jamaldeen 6C
Point scorers for CH&FC – Janith Chandimal 2P, Prasad Perera 1T 1C, Lahiru Pramod 1 try
