Havelocks unbeaten run was at stake but they managed to keep their composure right till the end to grab the victory against Army SC 27 points to 22 at Ratmalana Airforce Grounds.
The unbeaten Havies after a brilliant win over Airforce in their previous match had major injury concerns coming into this match. Having lost 6 key players due to injury, Sandun and his team had their work cut out against this formidable Army side. Army after a heavy defeat against Kandy SC last week had to get back to winning ways to be in contention for the league title.
Photo Album – Havelock SC Vs Army SC – (Dialog Rugby League 2015/16)
Havies kicked off proceedings. The Park club looked rusty in the first quarter of the match as the soldiers dominated possession in the first half. Army drew first blood through a goal when Madushan Chandrasekara intercepted Rahul De Silva’s pass inside the Havies 40m and ran all the way to score under the post. Gayan Salinda bisecting the uprights with ease. ( Havelocks SC 0 – Army SC 7 )
Havies were struggling to get their running game on song due to the sluggish ground conditions. Rimzi Jamaldeen put the Havies on the scoreboard through a 22m penalty. It took more than 20 minutes for Havies to score in this match which goes to show how much they struggled in first half. ( Havelocks 3 – Army SC 7 )
Towards the latter part of the first half Havelocks showed signs of consistency. Seconds before the half time whistle they got ahead in the match for the first time thanks to some brilliance by their scrum half Rahul De Silva. Rahul taking the ball from the ruck and passing to Dushmantha Priyadarshana who came from the inside and hit the gap perfectly. Rimzi bisected the uprights to give his team a 3 point lead going into the second half.
Half Time: Havelocks SC 10 – Army SC 7
Havies had the ideal start in the second half. Prasath Madushan breaking through from the 22m line offloaded to Sudharshan Muthuthanthri who made good ground and passed to Janik Jayasuriya to go over the line, putting Havies in a demanding position. Jamaldeen successfully converting. ( Havelocks SC 17 – Army SC 7 )
Army bounced back with an unconverted try by Dinushan Ariyapala after staying inside the Havies 22m for a long period. It was a timely breakthrough for the soldiers to be on par with their opposition. ( Havelocks 17 – Army SC 12 )
Few minutes after, Army Full back Gayan Salindu drew back the deficit by three points through a straight forward penalty from the 22m line. Running neck to neck his opposite number Rimzi Jamaldeen got the chance win back three points just after. It was easy pickings for Rimzi who bisected the uprights with ease. ( Havelocks 20 – Army SC 15 )
Time was running out for the soldiers but they did not stop fighting. Army’s positive attacking play paid off in the 72nd minute when Rosa Sampath went over the line after stealing the ball from a Havies line out inside their own 22m. Havies were loose in their set play right through out which almost cost them match. ( Havelocks 20 – Army 22 )
Havies with their unbeaten run at stake had 7 minutes to somehow turn the tables. The star studded Havies did not want to lose the unbeaten streak as they fought valiantly till the very end. Seconds away from the final whistle, Havies broke through the defense of the soldiers to steal the victory from them. It was Samantha Lakshan who went over the line for Havies after some consistent play in that final few minutes. It was unfortunate for Army after dominating most aspects of the game that they could not hold on to a well deserved victory.
Full Time: Havelocks 27 – Army 22 )
Havelocks scorers:
Samantha Lakshan 1 try, Janik Jayasinghe 1 try, Dushmantha Priydharshana 1 try, Rimzi Jamaldeen 2 penalties 3 conversions
Army Scorers:
Rosa Sampath 1 try, Dinushan Ariyapala 1 try, Madushan Chandrasekara 1 try, Gayan Salindu 2 conversions 1 penalty
ThePapare.com’s Man of the Match : Sudarshana Muthuthantri
Sandun Herath Speaking ThePapare:
” We expected this to be tough match. We couldn’t play our natural running game due the muddy outfield but we are happy with our performances. This was clearly not our strongest side having lost 6 key players due to injuries we had to improvise and play. Hopefully well be able to bring our best team in the next match against Kandy. “
