Prasad Madusanka celebrates after scoring his second try
Havelock Sports Club managed to keep their title ambitions on track overcoming CR&FC with a hard fought 35 points to 30 win, in their Dialog Rugby League 2017/2018 fixture worked off at Longden Place this evening. Havelocks collected their points from 2 goals, 3 tries and 2 penalties while CR accumulated their points from 3 goals and 3 penalties.
In stark contrast to how conditions were at this same venue last week, the weather and ground conditions were a perfect fit for a fast open game of rugby and it was the visitors who got off to a perfect start scoring a try just in the 2nd minute of play. A neat box kick by the Havies scrum half Rahul de Silva was followed up and collected by his fellow backs before the ball changed hands off a few players which saw hooker Prasath Madushanka dive over by the far left corner. Dulaj Perera added the extras with a marvelous corner flag conversion. (CR 00 – HSC 07). Dulaj had the opportunity to extend the lead 5 minutes later but his 40 meter penalty attempt strayed off target.
Having weathered the brief Havelock storm the hosts did manage to make some inroads into the opposition territory. The “Reds” equalized the scores in the 14th minute through Gayan Dilshan who powered his way through the Havies defence to score besides the posts. Fly half Tarinda Ratwatte put over the easy extras. (CR 07 – HSC 07). Ratwatte was called into action yet again in the 21st minute when his team was awarded a 35 meter penalty, which he dispatched with ease. (CR 10 – HSC 07).
All CR’s hard work was undone as the very next minute saw Havelocks score right off the kick off and yet again it was hooker Prasath Madushanka who took adavantage of CR’s lethargy at the breakdown to score mid right for an unconverted try. (CR 10 – HSC 12). Both, Dulaj Perera and Tarinde Ratwatte had a kick at goal in the 30th and 38th minute but only Ratwatte managed to keep his composure adding the 3 points that came his way. (CR 13 – HSC 12). However just before the break, the visitors retained the lead scoring a try through their no.08 Lasindu Ishan Karunarhilake who just had to ground the ball over line with his fellow forwards pushing back counterparts over their own try line off a 5 meter attacking scrum. Dulaj converted as Havelocks went into the break with a slender 6 point lead.
HALF TIME: CR&FC 13 – Havelock SC 19
The hosts began the second half brightly and reduced the deficit to just 2 points through the boot of Ratwatte who put over a 30 meter penalty. (CR 16 – HSC 19). CR’s second half momentum was halted when Gayan Dilshan was shown yellow for a shoulder charge. Havies capitalized on the numerical advantage scoring a try 2 minutes later through Chanaka Bandara, albeit under controversial circumstances. Bandara peeled off an advancing rolling maul and even though he crossed the line it seemed that he did not ground the ball despite the referee deeming it otherwise. Dulaj was once again off target with the conversion but his team was in the lead by 8 points. (CR 16 – HSC 24).
The Park club scored yet again in the 58th minute through hooker Prasath Madushanka who crossed over for his second in the process. A well timed box kick by Rahul de Silva found the hands of Niroshan Fernando who managed to breakaway before making an audacious no look overhead pass that fell to the hands of Madushanka who finished off the move with a flourish. (CR 16 – HSC 29). The hosts looked in total disarray but a mistake by Havies full back Rajitha Sansoni saw them receive possession inside their own 22’. After repeated infringements at the breakdown by the visitors Referee Dinka Peiris awarded a penalty try to “Red shirts” which put them back in contention. (CR 23 – HSC 29).
The Red shirts were in the ascendancy once again and their pressure reaped rich rewards as winger Riza Raffaideen touched down for a corner flag try. Tarinda Ratwatte then made a sublime conversion to put his team ahead. (CR 30 – HSC 29).
Havelocks had the opportunity to take over the lead in the 70th minute but Dulaj Perera who was having a torrid day with the boot missed an easy 25 meter penalty much to dismay of his team mates. But as good players do Dulaj made a valuable contribution making amends for the miss by slotting through a much difficult 45 meter penalty to hand over Havies the lead yet again. Dulaj distanced his team further from their opposition with another 3 pointer, Two minutes from time (CR 30 – HSC 35). The hosts mounted one last charge in a bid to salvage the game and did come close but it proved to be a little too late as Havelocks held on for the win.
FULL TIME: CR&FC 30 – Havelock SC 35
- Referee: Dinka Peiris
- ThePapare.com Player of the match: Rahul de Silva
Score break down: CR & FC 30 (3T, 3C, 3P)
Tries: Gayan Dilshan, Reeza Raffaideen, 1 Penalty Try
Conversions: Tarinda Ratwatte (3)
Penalties: Tarinda Ratwatte (3)
Bookings (yellow): Gayan Dilshan, Kokila Sammandapperuma.Score break down: Havelock SC 35 (5T, 2C, 2P)
Tries: Prasath Madushanka (2), Nishon Perera, Chanaka Bandara, Lasindu Ishan
Conversions: Dulaj Perera (2)
Penalties: Dulaj Perera (2)
