An absolutely gorgeous game of rugby was delivered at the first round of the Eustace Matthysz Trophy between Havelocks vs CR & FC with the park club coming out on top.
This was the first of the critical matches for the home side, Havelocks, with their previous two matches against Hambanthota Sharks (which was rescheduled) and Air Force. The Reds on the other hand did not have much of a respectable start but came back strong with a briiliant outing in their most recent match against CH & FC. And so it was set to be a thriller with both teams pumped up and vying for the win.
On paper the Havelocks would have had the odds piled for them considering the recent performances of the two sides. Nevertheless it would have been to the detriment of the host should they have taken the game lightly, as was amply displayed by the Reds.
It was the Reds to score first with a sloppy Niroshan Fernando pass being intercepted by Vishamithra Jayasinghe, and no one was going to stop him after an intercept. This may have been the fire starter for the Reds as they went blitzing through the rest of the game. Rizah “Mr. Reliable” Mubarak had no problems with the conversion CR on the board, 7 nothing.
The next passage of play saw the game swinging either way especially with the home team’s forwards piling on the pain for the visitors. But the Red jersey’s defense held, and then there was Sandun Herath! Good hands saw the ball being worked wide and the Havies speedster pulled a super try from his own line to score and put the home team on the board, Mohamed Sheriff missing the conversion saw the score at 7-5 Reds. Not too long after Sharo Fernando keeping to his raucous style bought on himself a yellow card and was sent to the lines, Havelocks were down one player. Rizah pushed the penalty through and increased the lead for his side, 10-5.
Havelocks did not take as much time to reply as the equalizer came through their gargantuan center Asepe Havea as he scored under the post, probably with most of the opposition hanging on to him trying to drag him down to no avail. Sheriff was on target this time and gained the home team a lead for the first time in the game 12-10.
CR hit back hard trying to get back the lead and disciplined close quarter contact at the line saw a penalty coming their way and of course the rest was formality for Mubarak as he took the score to 13-12 going into the half. The hosts may have even been surprised at where the game stood at the half and it was going to be an interesting second session.
The hosts had the opportunity to take back the lead but Sheriff’s luck with the boot did not hold as his kick went astray. Villami Hakaloa though being called up to take up the role dutifully obliged putting the hosts back in the lead 15-13. Hakaloa was once again back in action as he carved space out wide absorbing players and then unleashing Sandun on the wing. With the Hakaloa conversion coming good the hosts extended their lead to a more comfortable one, 22-13.
The Reds were not to be outdone, they yet had fire on their heels and the ball being worked wide gave their Number 10 Lafele Vaa the opportunity to go over and it was not a piece of cake as it took all his skill and ability to stay inbound and ground the ball with the Havies defense on his case. Rizah was tested with the conversion from far wide, and he proved his mettle once more beautifully slotting the conversion over, 22-20 Havies.
Rizah was again called up shortly for an all-important kick at goal to give his side the lead and he did just that as the visitors pulled ahead 23-20 CR with a hairs breadth lead. It was to be a busy day for the nifty Reds full back as he was once more called on for a penalty, this time though it was a miss and a rare miss from one of Sri Lanka’s finest.
The game was nearing its close and the hosts were firing all cylinders to turn the score line around. Alas for the brave Reid Avenue Reds the forward burst of their opponents saw Coach cum player Kaho Paola going over. With the conversion coming through the score remained at 29-23 as the Referee Rankothge sounded the long whistle minutes later.
