Last minute try gives CR ticket to the Finals

The game ended dramatically with CR winning the contest through a last minute try scored by replacement Arun Kumar to give them a place in the finals of the competition.

 Photo Album – CR & FC v Havelock SC (Dialog Rugby Clifford Cup 2016 SF 1) 

The Clash of these two perennial rivals has always produced some enthralling games in the past and with a lot at stake, the game was officiated by Tim Baker from Hong Kong. Interestingly, Eddie Jones, who is a reputed coach in world rugby had stated that Tim Baker is the best referee in Asia and with his approval Rahul De Silva got things underway. Having lost both the league fixtures to their opposition, CR & FC were pumped up to produce an upset. But their plans had to take a back seat as it was the Havelocks who dominated the first quarter of an hour. After a consistent amount of pressure Havelocks scored in the 8th minute through Sudarshana Muthuthanthri who bustled his way through. Shamri Burah however missed an easy conversion. Off the restart the park club came roaring back again and their pressure earned themselves a penalty which was slotted through by Burah (8-0 to HSC). A couple of minutes later Havelocks were awarded another penalty but this time, Burah missed the difficult kick. A seemingly shell shocked CR team managed to enter their half probably for the first time in the 17th minute and they left with 3 points courtesy of a penalty kick by Full Back Prince Chamara. (8-3).

Buoyed by their first points on the board CR soon started to get a hold of the game. The CR eight started to take the game to their doughty opposition with scrum half Kavindu De Costa calling the shots from the base. CR were soon on level terms when Jason Dissanayake used his strength to evade the opposition defense and ran down the right flank to touchdown for an unconverted try. (8-8) Referee, Tim baker was allowing the game to flow and the game was played at a furious pace. Both sides made a couple of open breaks down the field but all of those opportunities went begging due to the poor finishing in the final third. 5 minutes before the interval CR got into the lead for the first time in the game, scoring a wonderful try through Tarinde Ratwatte. Ratwatte stepped his way through, evading the Havies defense before releasing Kavindu Perera down the flank. Kavindu drew the onrushing Havelocks defense before passing the ball back inside to Ratwatte to finish off the move he initiated. Prince Chamara added the easy extras to give his team a 15 – 08 lead. But that lead lasted barely a couple of minutes as Havelocks scored through Dushmantha Priyadarshana. Burah was on target with the conversion attempt as both teams went into the break deadlocked at 15 points each.

Half Time; CR & FC 15 – HAVELOCKS 15

The start of the 2nd session turned out to be a cagey affair with both teams failing to make any inroads. Ganuka Dissanayake was shown a yellow early in the 2nd half, but despite the one man advantage CR could not bother the scoreboard. Prince Chamara missed a penalty kick and interestingly it was Havelocks who went on to score through Hirantha Perera, who managed to sneak through the CR defense. The difficult conversion kick was missed by Burah and Havelocks had to be content with a five point lead. CR tried to increase the tempo of the game and they were dominating possession and territory but could not find a way through the tenacious Havelocks’ defense. The 65th minute saw Prince Chamara miss another attempt at the posts and Havelocks were still in the lead. A few minutes later however, CR finally managed to add points through their winger Kavindu Perera who scored a well deserved try. Kanchana Ramanayake took up the conversion attempt but his kick lacked direction. (20-20)

With just under 7 minutes left Havelocks were awarded a penalty inside the ’22’. Replacement Full back Rimzi Jamaldeen’s kick bounced off the uprights, and back into play, into the hands of Kanchana Ramanayake. Off the ensuing ruck, The ‘Red Shirts’ boldly opted to run and pass their way out of danger and went on to score a brilliant team try. Prince Chamara added the easy extras and it was CR who were in the lead by seven points (27-20). But any CR celebration thoughts had to wait as Havelocks bravely came out firing all cylinders, barging their way into the CR 22. After a few hits and shoves, Prasath Madushanka powered his way through from close range. Jamaldeen made a sublime conversion to level the scores at 27 all. But just as it seemed the game would head into extra time, CR came storming into Havelocks territory in the dying moments of the game, with the men in pink desperately trying to hold off their opponents. But their defense finally made way as Arun Kumar barged his way though under the posts to win the game for his team and earn themselves a place in the finals next week.

Match Summary

FINAL SCORE: CR & FC 34  –  HAVELOCKS SC 27 

HAVELOCKS: 

Tries by Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Hirantha Perera, Prasath Madushanka.

2 Conversions and 1 Penalty by Shamri Burah

CR & FC: 

Tries by Jason Dissanayake, Tarinde Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Shemal Weerasekara, Arun Kumar

1 Conversion and 2 Penalties by Prince Chamara

Thepapare.Com Man Of The Match : Jason Dissanayake (CR & FC)