Havelocks Sports Club playing host to Police Sports Club managed to notch a win in their first fixture of the second round of the Dialog Rugby League 2015, over a spirited Police team.
Havelocks were the first on the board courtesy of a penalty from the boot of Dulaj Perera who got the scorers ticking, 3-nothing Havelocks. Both teams were looking to find their legs in the first quarter of the game with Police particularly erring on many an occasion in the process.
The teams settled down towards the second quarter and were playing more cohesive rugby. Police Sports Club though was having regular breakdowns and its momentum was continuously stalled. Havelocks Number 8 Josh Haifa was the first to cross the goal line with a beautiful solo move from a 5-meter scrum. Haifa broke away from the scrum and dummied his opposite number and sauntered across the goal line untouched. Dulaj Perera put the extra points on the board and took the score to 10 nothing.
Police SC’s Samantha Lakshan had the chance to put his side on the board with a penalty from 50 meters out but was unsuccessful. The Police fly half was not having the best of days in office with him being in the thick of the Police slip-ups. The scorer for the hosts Josh Haifa was sent off close upon the half time due to him charging Apisai Naqaliva illegally. It was good opportunity for the visitors to challenge the hosts but were unsuccessful in the efforts.
Just on the half Police were awarded a penalty by referee Rankothge, but strangely enough the Police SC captain chose to take the scrum instead of a sure 3fer which was under the posts. Unfortunately for the visitors their gamble did no pay off and they went into the break scoreless.
Half time: Havelock’s 10 (1G, 1P) – Police 00
The second half got more interesting as Police SC was first on the board during the half. A planned move by Police SC saw a purposefully stationed Filimoni Seru going over from the wing. Samantha Lakshan with a difficult kick from out wide put a lovely kick through for his side to take the points tally to 10-7.
Police SC were looking more purposeful, trailing by only 3 points. Playmaker Apisai Naqalive was in the thick of things with his piercing runs but he was marked and brought down by the opposition defence. The hosts though managed to put pressure on their counterparts and made them concede penalties. Police SC lost Shanaka Harshchandra for 10 minutes having been sent to the sin bin. Two penalties were awarded at exactly the same position, from 40 meters out just to the right of the posts for the hosts, Dulaj Perera made no mistake on his home turf slicing the uprights with his kick at goal on both occasions. With the successful penalties the hosts increased their lead to a comfortable 16-7, requiring a double score to go over it. Police SC’s fortunes were further dampened by playmaker Filimoni Seru being yellow carded.
Havelocks sealed the game with a last minute try from a rolling maul from a 5 meter throw in. Dushmantha Priyadarshana was the ball carrier firmly planting the try for the home side. Dulaj Perera was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The final scores read 21-7 in favour of Havelock Sports Club as the referee blew the long whistle.
Full time: Havelocks 21 (1G, 1T, 3P) – Police 7 (1G)
It was a close game with both sides playing hard rugby. Police SC were in striking range for almost the entire game but just could not get the points on the board. Both camps looked disappointed with the referring with decisions going against both sides.
ThePapare.com catching up with Havelocks coach Glen Christini for his views on the match had this to say, “ Police came at us hard but the boys did well to hold their composure together and do what they do to take the win”.
ThePapare.com Player of the match – Filimoni Seru of Police SC.
