Airmen suffered heavy blows by the visiting Havelock SC in Ratmalana, as Havelock’s went to the break with 21 – 09 lead and finished even stronger after they changed sides as the full time stood Havelock’s 45 (7T, 5C) – (1T, 1C,3P) Air force.
First time for the season that foreigners landed in the Ratmalana Air Force grounds from right and left corners of the world as they bought down two Fijians and a Chilean. However, these 3 players made their debut without even being 24 hours in the island, jetlagged and without a session of a practice.
Nevertheless, it was tailor made climate for rugby despite the muddy surface. Mithun Hapugoda on the attack early on going under the knees of the Air force defender showing his nippy footwork as a result visitors won an early penalty. The wind was too strong and kicks were going haywire but the Havies came out to play with great structure and a game plan where after about 8 – 10 phases the big lock forward Jason Melder went over for the first points. Hirantha Perera who started ahead of Dulaj Perera nailed the conversion. (Havelock’s 07 – 00 Air Force)
After a good passage of play, the hosts had a good chance to attack with their running game but a pass of Gayantha Iddamalgoda to the Fijian centre Vilikesa Koilagi was intercepted by Shehan Pathirana who went on his fifth gear to score under the post from the center line. Hirantha added the extras. (Havelock’s 14 – 00 Air Force)
The Air Force won a penalty with the visitors being off side and Iddamalgoda made a solid kick to get the first points on the board. It was all Havelock’s in the first quarter as Air Force side entry in the ruck caused another penalty. Hirantha went in to touch as Havies came in to opposite 22m. Rolling maul collapsed from the lineout but the ball position was retained by the men in pink and after four phases Taufa Sione the No#8 powered his way for the third try. Hirantha made no mistake with conversion under the post. (Havelock’s 21– 03 Air Force)
The Sri Lanka Air Force had a few positions in the opposite 22m Opeti Delana broke from the scrum and a ruck was created. Iddamalgoda tried the first drop goal attempt of the season which went awkwardly down the ground and luckily they got a penalty for an off side and this time Air force no10 made no mistake. Koilagi made an impact with a 35 m run but the support went off feet at the fall of his tackle as and as result they lost the ball position.
Sandun Herath continued his form, he was so good running in the corner gates and made a chip and chase for which a try was denied after great defence by the hosts. He almost sneaked an interception, apparently but was found off side and Iddamalgoda kicked 3 points with the penalty. (Havelock’s 21 – 09 Air Force)
HALF TIME : Havelock’s 21 (3G) – 09 (3P) Air Force
Quite interestingly both teams were unable to score in the third quarter, Havies had some decent lineouts in the first half but they went scrappy and hilariously both teams made knock on after knock-on after the advantage. Sheriff Mohamed coming in for Rehan made a solid 40 m run but his off load was knocked-on again by Hirantha Perera.
Havelocks yet again stormed in to Air Force red zone with a hope of a bonus points with their fourth try. Air Force could not maintain their discipline in the danger zone as they infringed off feet in the ruck and also playing off side had referee Priyantha Ekanayake blowing a penalty try in favor of visitors. Replacement Dulaj Perera added the extras. (Havelock’s 28 – 09 Air Force)
Suddenly in the final 15 minutes the visitors were energized and played most of the game in the opposite half. Sandun chipped once again and chased to put the defenders under pressure. The hosts could not hold on to their scrum in the danger zone and yet again the ball went lose and all Josh khaifa had to do was put his hand and touch the ball on the try line. Dulaj missed the conversion. (Havelock’s 33 – 09 Air Force)
Air Force made their foreign change and the man from Chile Garcia Bassaletti came in for Opeti Delana. Sheriff collected a high ball and made another 35m sprint and off loaded to the another debutant Mapa Tuiplotu, the greasy ball did not go in his favor. As the host defense went untidy Havies reared another penalty 5m away from the try line. Lasindu De Costa took a quick tap and set a ruck in the second phase sending the ball out wide to Dulaj, who draws his opposite number and passes to Mithun Hapugoda who scored in the right flank. Dulaj missed the conversion (Havelock’s 38 – 09 Air Force)
Air force had a 22 drop out start Charith Senavirathne kicking it against the wind which was collected by Dulaj who ran wide and switched his pass to Costa who off- loaded to Hapugoda and the full back scored his second try. Successful conversion by Dulaj.
Air force with the restart took a quick tap and set the ruck. The Havies defence was perhaps a bit out of focus for the first time as Charith Senavirathna made a long pass to the Fijian Koilagi who made his debut try for the Airmen. Senavirathna converted.
Full Time : Havelock’s 45 (7T, 5C) – 16 (1T, 1C, 3P) Air Force
ThePapare Player of the Match – Shehan Pathirana (Havelock’s)
Quote : Winning coach Glen Christini expressed his views “We played our structured game and I think it is good we played running game in a tough conditions, boys deserved the victory”
AIR FORCE – Danuka Madagedera, Lahiru Udayanga, Saumya Silva, Pradeep Kurukulasooriya, Prasanna Zoysa (C ), Dinesh Weerarathne, Sanjeewa Patabadige, Opeti Delana, Nadeesh Perera, Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Chathura Gomez, Vilikesa Koilagi, Charith Sevevirathna, Amila Bandara, Suranga Arunashantha
Replacements – Buddika Jayasinghe, Pandula Bandara, Parakrama Rathnayaka, Rumesh Wasantha, Gayan Anuradha, Ranil Medagedara, Garcia Bassaletti, Lahiru Weerasinghe
HAVELOCK’S – Ganuka Dissanayaka, Liston Karunanayake, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Ashen Karathelis, Jason Melder, Shehan Pathirana, Senal Deelaka, Taufa Sione, Kavindu De Costa, Hirantha Perera, Rehan Theyagarajah, Danushka Ranjan, Villiami Tahitua, Sandun Herath, Mithun Hapugoda
Replacements – Ashen Darling, Ranga Perera, Shehan Dias, Asela Dissanayaka, Josh Kaifa, Mapa Tuipolaotu, Sheriff Mohamed, Bimal Perera
