A dominant performance by Havelocks Sports Club secured their Semi Final berth as they triumphed over Army Sports Club in the Mastercard Inter-Club Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025 Quarter Final, played at Havelock Park.
League runners-up Havelocks hosted Army SC in the final Quarter Final clash, and the home side wasted no time making their mark. Just two minutes in, they launched a high-paced attack that disorganized the Army defense. With slick passing, playmaker Sandesh Jayawickrama fired a long pass to winger Janindu Wijeratne, who dived over in the corner. Jayawickrama then nailed a difficult conversion to give the Havelocks a perfect start. (Havelocks 07-00 Army)
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Army, looking to respond quickly, was gifted a penalty after the Havelocks conceded an unnecessary breakdown infringement. Isuru Madagedara made no mistake, slotting the three points. He had another opportunity to further reduce the deficit with a 40-meter penalty, but his attempt fell short. (Havelocks 07-03 Army)
The Havelocks struck again in the 12th minute, this time from a center scrum. Sudesh Jayawickrama sliced through the Army defense, bringing play into the 22-meter area before offloading to Tharindu Hettiarachchi. Drawing the last defender, Hettiarachchi flicked a pass to Janindu Wijeratne, who raced over for his second try. Sandesh Jayawickrama added the conversion, extending the lead. (Havelocks 14-03 Army)
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Army continued opting for points from penalties, with Madagedara adding another three-pointer to keep his team within reach. (Havelocks 14-06 Army)
Havelocks looked dangerous, especially off set-piece plays, and they capitalised again near the 22-meter mark. Crisp handling from the backs saw Sudesh Jayawickrama deliver another pinpoint cut-out pass to winger Jayathu Rajarathne, who stepped inside, fended off a defender and touched down for the Havelocks’ third try. Once again, Sandesh Jayawickrama was on target with the conversion. (Havelocks 21-06 Army)
Right after the restart, the Havelocks exploited more gaps in the Army defense. This time, Sudesh Jayawickrama broke through the line and made a well-timed offload to Rajarathne, who wove past two defenders to score his second try of the day, securing the Havelocks’ fourth. (Havelocks 26-06 Army)
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After relentless defending, Army finally found their rhythm just before Half Time. They patiently built phases through pick-and-drives, with scrum-half Manjula Weerasinghe providing quick ball. His precise pass found lock Kaveen Perera, who powered over the line to score Army’s first try, keeping their hopes alive at the break.
Half Time: Havelock SC 26 (4T,3C) – Army SC 11 (1T,2P)
The visitors ended the first half on a high and carried that momentum into the second, striking early to narrow the gap. Tharindu Hettiarachchi’s clearance kick from inside their 22-meter line was charged down by Ashan Bandara, who quickly regathered the loose ball and dived over for a crucial try. Lahiru Rathnayake made no mistake with the conversion, cutting the deficit to just eight points. (Havelocks 26-18 Army)
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The Havelocks responded swiftly with a counterattack. Udara Lakshan fired a long pass to Jayathu Rajarathne, who used his blistering pace to slice through the Army defense, covering more than 40 meters before being brought down. The hosts recycled the ball quickly, and slick handling allowed Chethana Rajarathne to dive over in the left corner, finishing off a brilliant move started by his brother. Sandesh Jayawickrama added the conversion, restoring the Havelocks’ cushion. (Havelocks 33-18 Army)
The forwards then put the final seal on the game, dominating in close quarters with a relentless series of pick-and-drives. Army’s defense held strong for over ten phases, but they had no answer for Shehan Silva, who powered through multiple defenders to crash over the line. Jayawickrama slotted the conversion, ensuring the Havelocks booked their home Semi Final against arch-rivals CR & FC.
Full Time: Havelock SC 40 (6T,5C) – Army SC 18 (2T,1C,2P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Sudesh Jayawickrama (Havelock SC)
Points Breakdown
Havelock SC 40
Janindu Wijeratne 2T, Jayathu Rajarathne 2T, Chethana Rajarathne 1T, Shehan Silva 1T, Sandesh Jayawickrama 5C
Army SC 18
Kaveen Perera 1T, Ashan Bandara 1T, Isuru Madagedara 2P, Lahiru Rathnayake 1C
