Army Sports Club sent shock waves and warning signals to all the clubs as they put on a show that will be remembered for ages, in a match of lifetime. They went down fighting against Havelock SC 43-41 on Saturday (16) at Havelock Park in a week-3 clash of the Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023/24.
Regardless of whichever club won the match, Army SC won the hearts of everyone present at the Park Club for their superb show. They scored 6 amazing tries in the second half after trailing 33-07 at lemons.
This match can be dubbed as arguably the best game so far in the league.
>>Photos – Havelock SC vs Army SC – Nippon Paint Rugby League 2023/24 – Week 3<<
A total of 84 points was scored in the game, which is a record in the tourney so far. The Havelocks scored through 6 tries, 5 conversions and a penalty.
Army scored 7 tries and 3 conversions. The missed kicks by Army made the difference at the final whistle.
Former National 7s specialist Sudharaka Dikkumbura was the key man for Army with his smart Rugby-IQ used in some important moments of the game.
Havelock’s Skipper Azmir Fajudeen scored in the 7th minute on the left flank through a rolling maul.
Samuel Maduwantha missed the conversion.
Randitha Warnapura scored the 2nd try in the 10th minute. Converted by Maduwantha.
Army missed many easy kicking opportunities, by did not opt to take the 3 pointers at kickable range. Later on, Army, out of nowhere, scored in the 25th minute under the post with a kick and chase to go up. (HSC 12-07 ASC)
Christian De Lile scored in the 26th minute through a pick and go orchestrated by a rolling maul led by Fajudeen. Maduwantha put over a peach of a conversion.
At 33 minutes, Jayathu Rajarathna scored an intercepted try dashing almost 70 metres . Army were motivated after some great work put in by their forwards, but all the good work was spoiled by their backs, who gave away possession cheaply. Maduwantha put a wonderful kick again to bisect the posts.
Just before Lemons, Skipper Fajudeen went over for his 2nd try and Samuel put over the kick to almost seal the deal to pocket the match right in the first half.
Just at the final play of the opening half, Army scrum-half Dilshan Hettiarachchi missed an easy penalty right in front of the posts to finish off with a demoralising end to the half.
Half time – Havies 33-07 Army
The first score of the second essay was made by the heavily experienced Sudharaka Dikkumbura with sheer power, barging his way through some heavy defence. (HSC 33-12 ASC).
Shehan Dias (lock), the Havelock’s experienced campaigner playing in his last dance this season, went over for the Park Club’s 6th try through an absolute stunner, just like a lightning fast wing three quarter.
Maduwantha made no mistake with the extras. (HSC 40-12 ASC).
Army Skipper Ashan Bandara, in the 57th minute, went over for the 3rd try for the soldiers. Extras were missed.
In quick succession , the best try of the game came through replacement full-back Lahiru Rathnayake, who razzled and dazzled his way through the Havies back line defence, and the crowds at the park were awe-struck with the flair of the Army lads. Finally, Army put in a kick in with Skipper Ashan Bandara taking up the booting duties .
For both these tries, it was Sudharaka Dikkumbura’s sheer brilliance combined with his quick thinking which led to the pathway to put Army in a commanding high tempo position.
Once again, Army playing with free flow went over for their 5th try, with Lasantha Kumara scoring on the right flank around 10 minutes before full time. Skipper Bandara missed the extras. (HSC 40-29 ASC).
At the 75th minute mark, Samuel Maduwantha pointed at the posts as he went for a 40 metre penalty and made no error to go up 43-29 to take off the momentum from the soldiers’ heavy onslaught. This kick proved to be the game-changer .
Centre Lasantha Kumara went over for his 2nd try at the dying stages and with yet another Army special through their quick-fast backs with extras added, it was a 7 point affair. (HSC 43-36 ASC).
Dikkumbura, The Black Knight Player of The Match, scored the last try of the game yet again with absolute guts, powering his way through some heavy defence. Skipper Bandara missed the most crucial conversion, missing it by a whisker.
Both the teams got the all important bonus point for scoring 4 tries. Army got the losing bonus pointer as well.
Full Time – Havelock SC 43 (6T 5C 1P) beat Army SC 41 (7T 3C)
Black Knight Player of The Match – Sudharaka Dikkumbura
Points scorers:
Havelock SC: Azmir Fajudeen 2T, Randitha Warnapura 1T, Christian De Lile 1T, Jayathu Rajarathna 1T, Shehan Dias 1T. Samuel Maduwantha 1P, 5C
Army SC: Sudharaka Dikkumbura 2T, Ashan Bandara 1T, Lahiru Rathnayake 2T, Lasantha Kumara 2T. Ashan Bandara 2C Dilshan Hettiarachchi 1C
 at Havelock Park in a week-3 clash of the Nippon Paint Inter Club Rugby League.){kind=link}