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| Sunday, 25 April 2004 |
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Police turn tables on Havies with good 13/8 win by LAL GUNESEKERA Havelocks were made to bite their own dust on home territory at Havelock Park yesterday, as Police, pulled off a good 13 points (1 goal, 2 penalties) to 8 (1 try, 1 penalty) victory in their first-round Caltex 'A' Division League Rugby Championship game. Last season, Havies won both games by big margins (46-14 at Police Park and 41-8 at Havelock Park). However this year, Police turned tables on the Havies who were made to eat humble pie. With sponsorship package coming through Dialog GSM, Police, had recruited two Fijian Policemen this season and it's understood that a national player too is on the way soon. However, it was rather disappointing to see too many coaches in the Police ranks. S. W. Chang is the official coach, but I saw a few others shouting out orders and making substitutes too. This is no good for their rugby. Havelocks, on the other hand, had two Samoans and another as coach cum player who made an entry in the last 15 minutes or so. This player, Maka, who replaced Kapeli, was too big and very slow as a player, unlike Kapeli. The Havies could have won, but lacked a reliable place-kicker. Yesterday, Saliya Kumar, missed converting Thajudeen's try as well as failing with two penalties. Saliya Kumar put Havies in the lead in the 18th minute with a 22-metre penalty after Police's Wilson was sent into "Sin Bin". Four minutes later, Police fly-half Leuke, the Fijian touched down near the left upright and converted himself for Police to lead 7-3. Three minutes later, Leuke, put Police further ahead with a 22-metre penalty, but missed a 40-metre attempt in the 37th minute. Just before "lemons", Havies fly-half Thajudeen scored the best try of the evening. Off a 25-metre line-out on the right flank of Police territory, Thajudeen worked a "loop" with his centre to run over 40 metres to touch down left. Saliya Kumar missed the conversion. Soon after the "turn around" Saliya Kumar fluffed a 40-metre penalty. In the 15th minute a Havies forward was sent into "Sin Bin" and Leuke put over a simple 22-metre penalty left for Police to lead 13-8. In the 28th minute, Saliya Kumar, again fluffed a simple 22-metre penalty left for Havies. Aruna Jayasekera refereed. Today, Air Force take on CR & FC at the Kotalawela Defence Academy grounds at Ratmalana, while at Nittawela, defending champions Kandy Sports Club play hosts to Old Zahirians. |
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