Havelocks SC travelled to the Diyagama stadium to take on Army SC in what proved to be a very good game of rugby that ultimately witnessed the defending champions Havelocks SC scoring a 27-19 victory.
Opening try
The first try of the game was scored by Havelocks SC through a beautiful play which was set up by the first center Joe Brown and completed by the second center Dhanushka Ranjan. Brown stepped his way through the Army SC defence with great finesse and passed the ball to Ranjan who sailed down the left flank to take the visiting team into a crucial 5-0 lead.
Susantha scores for Army SC while Dushmantha does the needful for Havelocks SC
Army SC who were spurred on by the home crowd struck back in grand fashion as there fly half Maika charged down an attempted box kick by the Havelocks SC scrum half Mithun Hapugoda. Maika collected his own charge down cleanly and ran into space as he off loaded the ball to his team mate Susantha Ajith who scored a wonderful try. Maika added the extra points which resulted in the scores standing at 7-5 in favour of the visiting team.
Havelocks had an opportunity to regain the lead through the talented winger Chamara Dabare. Dabare powered his way past three defenders and reached the try line with ease, however in an attempt to score under the uprights he was tackled and thrown into touch which resulted in the scoreline remaining at 7-5. Havelocks did eventually strike back through a strong break which was made by their burly forward Dushmantha Priyadarshana. His try took the score onto 10-7 in favour of the visiting team.
Maika strikes on the verge of half time
Although Havelocks SC was in the lead the home team continued to play positive rugby and they got their reward through a beautiful try which was scored by the skilled Army SC fly half Maika Ligaqaqa. The play began when Maika passed the ball to the winger Sameera who charged up the right flank. Sameera used his quick hands to work the ball back on the inside to Maika who ran into acres of space to score the second try for the home team.
Half time score- Army SC 12 Havelocks SC 10
Half time show
The crowds who were gathered at the Diyagama stadium witnessed a half time show with a difference as the hosts put on a breathtaking Karate Display which comprised nearly 2000 participants. The supporters of both teams gave the participants a standing ovation and took their seats in anticipation of a second half of intense rugby.
Ranjan and Herath prove to be lethal
The second half commenced with the score line standing at 12-10 in favour of the home team. However their lead was short lived as the Peterite duo of Danushka Ranjan and the try machine Sandun Herath scored two top notch tries to take the visiting team into a strong position.
The first try of the second half was scored by Sandun Herath who was unleashed by a beautiful grubber by Mohmad Sheriff which sliced through the Army defence. Sandun Herath chased the ball down to score a devastating try and as Joe Brown successfully added the extra points the score moved onto 17-12 in favour of Havelocks SC. This try took Sandun Heraths tally up to 20 tries and he is one try away from breaking the record for the most number of tries scored by an individual player for a season.
Almost minutes after Herath’s try Danushka Ranjan scored a try that was as formidable and devastating as far as Army SC’s hopes of winning the match were concerned. He saw an opportunity to intercept a weak pass made by one of the Army SC players and he pounced on it to score his second try of the game. Joe Brown converted with ease and took the home team into a 24-12 lead.
Army SC hit back
As the game went on both teams had chances to score however the defence of both teams proved to be rock solid and the score line remained untroubled. Army SC realizing that they had nothing to lose gave it their all and managed to score one more try through the efforts of Esava Delai who barged his way over the line to take the home team onto 17 points. Upali Wickramasinghe’s conversion was successful and the score moved onto 24-19 in favour of Havelocks SC.
The final points of the game were added on by Joe Brown who kicked a relatively easy penalty through the uprights to take the visiting team into an unassailable 27-19 lead.
Final Score- Havelocks SC 27 Army SC 19
