Havelocks smash Kandy 50-19 to assure them of the ‘A’ Division League

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Havelocks Sports Club savoured one of their biggest wins in recent times when they beat reigning league champions Kandy Sports Club who has won the title for last eleven consecutive years in no uncertain terms by 50 points (6 goals, one try and a penalty) 19 (two goals, one try) in a crucial Dialog second round match for both sides at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 26-5 at the breather.

For a team which has won the league title continuously the scoreline 50-19 looks dismal, but the Kandy team did not play badly, but lost to a superior outfit.

The outcome of the match saw the end of Kandy SC’s dominance in the local rugby scene and making the Havelocks taking on Navy next week at Welisara more interesting with the Park Club virtually assured of the 2012 ‘A’ Division League rugby title. Having last won it 31 years ago in 1981 under Angelo Wickremaratne.

This was Kandy’s biggest defeat since they started dominating rugby in 1992, eclipsing the previous worst defeat by 11-33 to CH and FC led by Ajith Upawansa in 1990. This also marked the first win for the Park Club over Kandy since 1995.

Kandy opened scoring early in the first half through their nippy scrum half Roshan Weeraratne which went unconverted. Minutes later Havelocks missed a scoring opportunity through a penalty, but winger Mithun Hapugoda opened the ‘gates’ for Havies when he punted one ahead and picked up on the follow through and virtually ended up unopposed to score under the post to give Nival Tausio an easy kick at goal.

Minutes later flanker Dhiren Warnakulasuriya dummied himself to touch down under the post off a move which began in mid field. Niva Tauso added the extra points. Dhiren who had a superb game crashed through for a try once again which was converted by Niva Tauso. (21-5). Warnakulasuriya made it a hat trick of tries when he crashed through to another fine try with Tauso adding the extra points the Park Club was well placed at lemons 26-5.

After resumption partially came back into the game early in the second half when they crossed the Havelocks goal line twice through hooker Achala Perera and flanker Sean Wijesinghe with both tries converted by Fazil Marija to make it 26-19.

Centre Niva Tauso increased the lead for the Park club with an easy penalty. Havelocks (29-19).

During the last twenty minutes it was Havelocks all the way when they went to score three superb tries through Niva Tauso who picked up a loose ball and touched down unopposed and added the extra points himself (Havelocks 36-19). This was followed by two more tries through number 8, Nissam Aitui and lock forward Ashen Karthelis. Niva Tauso put over the easy conversions to give the Park Club a resounding 50-19 win.

Referee: Dilroy Fernando.