Havelock Sports Club bounced back after two consecutive defeats in the Super Round to clinch 3rd place in the Cup segment after a Comfortable win over CH & FC 28 points to 11, in their Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023/24 encounter, worked off at Royal Complex.
The Havelocks dominated the early exchanges as the CH defence was put to the test and CH kept the Havies at bay, but a high hit from Mohomed Absal gave Samuel Maduwantha an opportunity to kick for points as he got the Havies on the scoreboard with ease. (CH 00 – 03 Havelocks)
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The Havies continued to dominate the territory and possession as the Havies backs managed to sneak through the CH defence, when Sudesh Jayawickrama sold a dummy pass and went over for the Park Club. Maduwantha slotted over an easy conversion to add the extras. (CH 00 – 10 Havelocks)
CH finally woke after conceding the try and got a penalty, which took them to the 5 meter line and strong carries from the CH Forwards allowed Janith Laksara to force his way over to open the scoring, while the conversion from Maliksha Perera went astray. (CH 05 – 10 Havelocks)
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The Havies were a bit loose with their defence when playmaker Sandesh Jayawickrama gave away a penalty for high shot on Mohomed Absal. Rohitha Rajapakse took over the kicking duties as he bisected uprights with ease to cut the deficit.
On the brink of Half Time, CH got another penalty, but Rajapaksa was unable to add the points this time as the Havies went to the break with a slender lead.
Half Time: CH & FC 08 (1T,1P) – Havelock SC 10 (1T,1C,1P)
Gymkhana Club got off to a strong start in the second half and the Havies lost Christian De Lile as he was given 10 minutes’ rest for a high tackle. The CH rolling maul worked perfectly, they couldn’t add the finishing touches but a few phases later, they managed win a penalty just outside the 22-meter line as Rajapaksa put CH back in front from the tee. (CH 11 – 10 Havelocks)
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Just after getting the lead, CH gave away an unwanted penalty as Maduwantha stroked over his second penalty to take their lead back.(CH 11 – 13 Havelocks)
CH lost their replacement first five-eight Dinesh De Silva for an intentional knock on, but Maduwantha missed out on easy kick in front of the sticks. However, the Havies continued to add the pressure towards CH.
The Havies got a penalty near the five-meter line and they opted for a scrum. A trademark No 08 break from Janidu Fernando was good enough for him to power his way over to score under the post. Maduwantha added the extras from the kicking tee.(CH 11 – 20 Havelocks)
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The Havies continued to utterly dominate, and victory seemed inevitable when Dilshan Chathura went over after patient pick-and-go’s from the Havies forwards. (CH 11 – 25 Havelocks)
A third penalty from Maduwantha extended the Havies lead as the Havies secured the 3rd place to end the season on high.
Full Time: CH & FC 11 (1T,2P) – Havelock SC 28 (3T,2C,3P)
Black Knight Player of the Match: Janidu Fernando (Havelock SC)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC: 11
Try: Janith Laksara ;Pens: Rohitha Rajapaksa (2)
Havelock SC: 28
Tries: Sudesh Jayawickrama, Janidu Fernando , Dilshan Chathura , Cons: Samuel Maduwantha(2) ;Pens: Samuel Maduwantha(3)
