Samuel Maduwantha’s boot separated the two teams as the fullback punted over one conversion and three penalties to help Havelock Sports Club secure a fighting 05 (1T) – 16 (1T 1C 3P) victory over Police Sports Club, in the Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023/24, on a wet evening at Police Park.
The hosts shuffled their line-up, making 7 changes to their run on XV as Havelocks made a mere 3 alterations, as the lads in Pink chased the Gamini Fernando trophy at Police Park.
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The first 10 minutes passed as both teams failed to get any continuity as the heavens opened moments before kick-off.
With conditions deteriorating rapidly, the visitors managed to secure their first points off the boot of fullback Samuel Maduwantha as the former Antonian booted over from 55m to open the scores. (PSC 00-03 HSC)
Conditions played a massive role in the game as both sides failed to adopt to the circumstances, as the game came to a side to side affair with neither being able to breakdown each other.
The visitors, however, settled in scoring in the crucial period just before half time, not once but twice – first through Randitha Warnapura, and then a second penalty off the boot of Maduwantha.
Warnapura tied defenders in front of him in a ball of thread, as he stepped on the gas, stepping out, diving in the corner to dive over for the first try of the evening.
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Maduwantha punted over the conversion, and moments later, after the hooter, pierced the upright to add salt into the Police wounds to end the first half with a convincing advantage.
Half Time: Police 00 trail Havelock Sports Club 13 (1T 1C 2P)
The home team had the better of the second half out-scoring the Havelocks. However, a supreme first half show helped the visitors leave with the W.
The Havelocks were reduced to 14 men early on in the piece, as Police struck through Hirantha Perera. The former Isipathana center added the finishing touch to the home team’s only score as the visitors superior defense helped them hang on.
The Cops’ line out malfunctioned time and time again, adding to their woes, after they lacked a kicker to slot over the conversion and a whole host of penalties. (PSC 05-13 HSC)
The visitors, on the other hand, handled pressure in superior fashion, defending compactly. The Havelocks were reduced a man for a second time, but Police failed to capitalize as a toothless attack failed to make any inroads.
Samuel Maduwantha added the gloss on the victory, kicking over his fourth kick off the tee, remaining flawless on the evening to put the game to bed with a little more than 10 minutes left.
Police huffed and puffed but failed to bring the Havelock defense down as the visitors left with their 3rd win of the campaign, going into 2024 on a winning note.
Full Time: Police Sports Club 05 (1T) lost to Havelock Sports Club 16 (1T 1C 3P)
Black Knight Player of the Match: Samuel Maduwantha (HSC #15)
Points Breakdown:
Police SC: Hirantha Perera 1T
Havelocks SC: Randitha Warnapura 1T, Samuel Maduwantha 1C 3P
 – 16 (1T 1C 3P) victory over Police Sports Club, in the Nippon Club Rugby League 2023/24, on a wet evening at Police Park.){kind=link}