In spite of a spirited second half performance Army Sports club couldn’t conjure a win at Havelock Park against the reigning league champions, going down 20 points to 8.
Army sports club has fared well during the season making an impact in their matches, Coach Ben MacDougall has done well with the lads an their hard work showed with a few glitches here and there though. Havies are yet to get up to full throttle on the temperament end of things particularly as they seem to be coming under pressure and not coping at their best.
Early penalties from both sides saw each other on the board almost immediately with the score reading 3 all, Villiami Hakaloa and U. Kolieakava doing the needful for Havelocks and Army respectively.
The home side was the first to cross the goal line with big Terrence Henry going over. Henry was amusingly seen supporting the line and exchanged ball with the nippy likes of Dabare and Hakaloa before scoring. Hakaloa having no problem with the conversion gave his side the lead 10-3.
The visitors started to get aggressive with their game and one such incident was lucky not to be yellow carded. Hakaloa did the needful with the penalty and the scores read 13-3. Unfortunately referee Dinka Peiris’s message did not get through as Wasatha Costa swept Sharo Fernando off his feet while in the air. Referee Pieris had no hesitation this time in handing down the yellow card. Army had the chance to reduce the deficit to a more manageable one courtesy of a penalty but was unsuccessful. The game went into the half with the scores remaining at 13-3 in favor of the Park club.
Army got their game going right and proper in the second half as they upped the pressure with good forward play pressuring the break downs and with their hits to gain the yardage. The efforts bore fruit as the forces put their forwards to good use with a rolling mall and registered a push over try. With the conversion going astray the score line moved to 13-8 Havies leading but with the opposition hot on their heels. Thanks to the try Army was only a score away from going ahead.
The passage of play took an interesting road with both sides looking to pierce each other’s defense looking to relieve the pressure. Havelocks a mite more successful than Army but nevertheless the army defense held the home team from scoring despite many a break. Army held on with everything they had up until the last 5 minutes of the game and then as is becoming customary Sandun Herath was on the scene. The ball being worked wide saw the winger go over the line and across to the posts to score. Hakalo having an easy conversion bought the score to 20-8.
Even with only minutes remaining in the game the Army lads gave it their all yet trying to pierce and pull a rabbit out of the hat. But it was not to be as the long whistle sounded and Havelocks took home the game. Despite the result you have to give it em, those Army chaps sure know how to give a fight!
Havelocks have been tested in their last few matches and they have managed to come out on top downing the forces (Air Force, Police and Army) in 3 out of their 4 recent matches. Nevertheless they will have to up their game considerably as they will run into choppy waters when they take on the high riding Sailors as they are a force to be reckoned with as they have demonstrated.
Video Replay – Dialog Rugby League | Havelocks SC vs Army SC
1st Half
2nd Half
