Havelock Sports Club kept their unbeaten tag alive when they defeated the depleted Sailors after they attempted a comeback late in the second half.
Full Time Score: Havelock SC 22 defeat Navy 18
The difference between the two teams in the first half was Dinuk Amerasinghe. Amerasinghe who was returning from the national break saw him utilizing his skills to good use.
Navy’s misery in the scrum saw the ballistic midfield unleashed for the first time this season as Dinuk Amerasinghe’s wonderful running lines and a tactful offload later saw Iranga Ariyapala drawing first blood.
Mubarak made no error (7-3).
Minutes later, Havelock’s dirty play in the ruck saw Umesha Madushan in the naughty chair and giving Thilina Weerasinghe of Navy an easy 3 points.
Getting his first real break in the Dialog Rugby League, the Lankan represent continued his good form to craft the second try.
Taking in two players, Amerasinghe found Sashan Mohammed with the offload allowing him to touch the team’s second in the far corner.
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Thilina Weerasinghe slotted another against the wind but the hosts enjoyed a lead at lemons.
Half Time: Havelock 12 – Navy SC 6
Having had a successful 1st half, Amerasinghe was forced to spend the next ten minutes in the sin-bin owing to a late tackle.
Mohammed continued to be in the right place at the right time for Havelock’s. When the rains poured down just after halftime, skipper Niroshan Fernando opted for touch in place of the three points.
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His gamble proved to be a success when Navy was found committing too many in the breakdown with space opening in the far corner.
Scrumhalf Vimukthi Rahula passed a long cutout to Sashan Mohammed who was eagerly waiting to touch down for his second.
Amidst the torrential downpour, Mubarak added the extras. (19-6)
Navy looked like they have not recovered from their misery against CR & FC and were struggling to get their backline in space.
Dinuk Amerasinghe assisted two of the three tries that were scored bringing in a Player of the Match Performance
Navy finally broke the ice when Thilina Weerasinghe found space in the midfield to score. (11-19)
Weerasinghe missed but, Navy soon was back in the attack thanks to their forwards.
A 5-meter scrum saw the silent Navy forwards back in the game with a boost of adrenaline when they pushed the dominating Havies forwards to a try.
Photo Album: Havelock SC v Navy SC | Dialog Rugby League 2018/19
Charith Silva touched down and Weerasinghe converted but it looked a little too late. (18-19)
With little time to play, Havelock earned themselves a 22-meter penalty that Prince Chamara kicked with ease sealing the game for the home side.
Havelock held their ground and the effort will see them with a successful ‘W’ under their name at the end of match week 3.
In contrast to what Havelock played in the first two games, they looked to use their backline more often. Dinuk Amerasinghe was quiet all throughout the first two games but with this change of tactics, he was in full swing earning him ThePapare Player of the Match title.
Navy looked unsettling and coach Mothilal Jayethilake’s fresh faces in the starting line up failed to deliver for the side.
- ThePapare Player of the Match: Dinuk Amerasinghe (Havelock SC)
Full Time Score: Havelock SC 22(3T 2C 1P) – Navy 18 (2T 1C 2P)
Breakdown
Havelock SC – Sashan Mohammed (2T), Iranga Ariyapala (1T), Rizah Mubarak (2C), Prince Chamara (1P)
Navy SC – Thilina Weerasinghe (1T 1C 2P), Charith Silva (1T)Cautions & Send Off’s – Umesha Madushan (Havelock), Dinuk Amerasinghe (Havelock)
