A nine try onslaught by Havelocks SC was too much to handle for the CH & FC players as the defending champions secured an easy 51-20 win over CH & FC at Maitland Crescent in their 2013/14 Dialog Club Rugby League encounter.
After losing out to Kandy SC last week, CH & FC was hoping for an improved performance in home conditions as Nalaka Kumara kicked-off proceedings from left to right. Havies started to dominate the game with their power-packed forwards when they gained large yards of terriortory to help speedster Sandun Herath to cross over for his 1st try for the match in the 5th minute of the game. Hakalo Villiami missed the conversion. ( Havies 05 – CH 00 )
The Havies returned soon after to change the score line when Sri Lankan wing three quarter Sandun Herath touched down his 2nd consecutive try for the game near the right corner flag. Hakalo Villiami defied the extra points again. ( Havies 10 – CH 00)
CH & FC got their 1st points scoring opportunity when they were awarded a penalty due to Havelocks defensive line been outside. Full back Nalaka Kumara missed a relatively easy kick. Havelocks powerful force was seen in action as they dominated the scrums, line outs and breakdowns as their skipper Dhiran Warnakoolasuriya scored another try to extend the score. Hakalo Villiami continued his poor kicking form as he missed another conversion. ( Havies 15 – CH 00 )
With the time clocking to 30 minutes of the game, Havelocks full back Mithun Hapugoda scored a crowd pleasing stunning try to show the special skill level possessed by the Havelocks SC. Hakalo Villami failed to add the extra points. ( Havies 20 – CH 00)
With the game nearing the half -way point, home team were desperate to get some points on the board and their senior statesman Bimal Herath collected the ball off a loose ruck from the visitors to score under the posts just before the half time whistle. Nalaka Kumara converted
Half Time – Havelocks 20 – CH & FC 07
After the lemons, Havelocks continued to pounce on the inexperienced CH outfit and their hard working flanker Sudarshan Muthuthanthri gazed past the defenders to sprint away for 35 meters and score a brilliant individual try for the reigning champions. Hakalo Villiami missed the 5th conversion attempt for the day. ( Havies 25 – CH 07 )
Sri Lanka’s second row forwards Asitha Perera and Sharo Fernando were yellow carded in the space of one minute for the giving high tackles on CH players in the start of the second half.
Havies were left to 13 men on the park and CH capitalized on the chance and scored off a penalty kick by Nalaka Kumara and their most experienced player Chameendra Bandara scored an unconverted try off a superb maul drive worked smartly by the CH forwards. ( Havies 25 – CH 15 )
CH & FC sensed a reprieve to get back into the game with Havies leading only by 10 points but after the return of their two second rowers, Havelocks opened the flood gates for the rest of the game as tired CH defense could not hold Henry Terrance from barging over a try which was surprisingly converted by Hakalo Villiami as he had a horrible day with the boot. ( Havies 32 – CH 15)
The Havelocks newest addition, center Thusitha Samarathilake scored his maiden try for the park club as he intercepted a loose pass by a CH player to score under the post. Villiami’s conversion attempt was successful. ( Havelocks 39 – CH 15 )
CH added some respect to the score board when they scored their 2nd try for the match when Asanka Maduranga crossed the try line for the home team. Nalaka Kumara’s conversion went astray. ( Havelocks 39 – CH 20 )
As the game’s fate was in Havelocks hands, 20 year old wing three quarter Sandun Herath completed his hat trick of tries for the match as he touched down after an attacking set move play by the defending champions deep into their opposition terriortory. Mohammed Sherrif made a superb conversion. ( Havies 46 – 20)
Dominant Havelocks finished off their 1st game with an half century score when the newly injected blood from the bench in Chathuranga Mendis scored the final try for the game as Havelocks SC completely outclassed the CH & FC lineup.
Full Time – Havelocks 51 – CH & FC 20
ThePapare.com caught up with losing team’s coach Sanath Martis after the game
“ The best team won the game, We were outplayed in every aspect of the game. But, I’m happy that we put up an improved show compared to last week’s loss to Kandy SC.“
