CH scrape through

By Lal Gunesekera

RUGBY: A penalty by Sajith Bandara and a try in injury time by centre Matheesha de Silva helped CH & FC in no uncertain terms to beat Havelocks by 32 points (3 goals, 1 try, 2 penalties) to 22 ( 1 goal, 5 penalties) after leading 15-9 at half time in their Cup category Caltex League Rugby Championship game at Havelock Park yesterday.

The scores stood level (22-all) with seven minutes plus injury time. Then, a 15-metre penalty by Sajith Bandara saw CH taking the lead 25-22 in the 40th minute, and in injury time, Matheesha de Silva breezed through to touch down under the posts for CH to emerge victorious 32-22.

It was a terrific fight for supremacy right along. CH took an early 7-0 lead in the fifth minute through left winger Niroshan Ekanayake and Bandara converting. Samantha Lakshan fired across the first of his five penalties for Havelocks in the eighth minute to reduce the lead (3-7) and further reduce it seven minutes later with yet another penalty (Havies 6-7). In the 23rd minute, CH, went further ahead through right winger Lakala Perera, but Bandara failed with the conversion (12-6).

He missed a penalty too in the 32nd minute, but made no mistake with another three minutes later (CH 15-6). Just before half time, Havies reduced the lead with Lakshan's third penalty.

After the "turn around", Lakshan put over two penalties for Havelocks in the third and 18th minutes for them to draw level (15-all), but CH, went into the lead again in the 26th minute off an interception by Lakala Perera and with Bandara converting led 22-15.

Lakshan then converted a penalty try for Havelocks to make the equaliser, but then came the penalty by Sajith Bandara and the try by Matheesha de Silva to bring victory for CH.

D. Nimal refereed.

Today, CR & FC take on Army at Longden Place, while defending champions Kandy Sports Club meet Police at Nittawela.