Havelocks in 32-22 win

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Havelocks Sports Club scored a rousing 32 points (two goals, three tries, one penalty) to 22 (one goal, three tries) win over the Up-Country Lions in their Dialog League Rugby Tournament match played before a large and enthusiastic crowd at the Jayatilleke Sports Complex Nawalapitiya yesterday. At half time Havelocks led 8-5.

It took 15 minutes for the scoreboard to move and that too through a 35 metre penalty awarded to Havelocks Sports Club after the Up-Country Lions three quarters were penalised for off side. Centre Niva Tausa made a good conversion (Havelocks 3-0).

In the 21st minute Havelocks extended their lead when their forwards made a terrific onslaught on the Up-Country Lions defence which ended in their No.8 Attui Nissan falling by the left corner flag. Niva Tausa missed a difficult kick at goal. Havelocks led 8-0.

The Up-Country Lions played with a lot of gusto at this stage and hard tackles by flankers Dilip Silva and Sudharshana Muthanthri and Sajith Saranga playing in the second row somewhat stopped the Havelocks from adding to their tally.

In the 30th minute a penalty was awarded to Up-Country Lions deep inside their opponents territory and this kicked to touch by stand off Nigel Ratwatte. From the line out which followed Up-Country Lions No.8 Ledua Koresi scored for right full back Rajitha Sansoni failed to add the extra points. (Up-Country Lions 5-8) and with that score the teams went for the short break.

But soon after resumption Havelocks forged ahead when winger Mithum Hapugodage sprinted 30 metres to score for right and centre Niva Tausa added the extra points. Havelocks led 15-5.

Two minutes later it was Mithum Hapugodage who made another dashing run to score far left and Tausa failed to add the extra points. Havelocks 20-5.

In the 20th minute Up-Country Lions hit back when scrum half Srinath Suriyabandara picked up the loose ball and ran to score far left. This try went unconverted.

In the 27th minute a three quarter movement by the Up-Country Lions saw winger Wishwamithra Jayasinghe scoring by the left corner flag.

The Up-Country Lions showing more lite once again scored through winger Radhika Hettiarachchi and this was goaled by stand off Nigel Ratwatte.

In the dying stages of the game Havelocks centre Niva Tausa scored and scrum half Amjad Buksh added the extra points.

R.U.B. Sunitogo refereed.