Impressive 31-16 win for Havelocks

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

A rejuvenated Havelock outfit scored an impressive 31 points ( 1 goal, 3 tries, 3 penalties) to 16 (2 tries, 2 penalties) win over CH & FC in the Caltex 'A' division league rugby encounter at Maitland Crescent yesterday.

Havelocks showed clear signs of dominance with the back division and forwards combining effectively and pressurised CH & FC. Havelocks, two foreign players Angston Sae and Uaiseli Atelea played with good understanding to the advantage of the winners. Angston Sae's power play was the key for the Havies win as he went on to score two tries in the second half. Havelocks led 16-8 at lemons.

CH&FC opened scoring when Indika Wickrematilleka fired over a penalty in the sixth minute. Havelocks levelled the score through a penalty put over by Uaisele Atelea. After a drab session by both sides Havelocks scored twice within a space of couple of minutes off a three quarter move when winger Ruchira Ratnage pierced through the defence to touch down for an unconverted try. Then Uaisele Atelea scored off a line out and Havies took a 13-3 lead. Just before the half time Ajmad Buksh stretched the lead for Havelocks kicking over a penalty, but CH & FC skipper Lakala Perera reduced the gap by touching down collecting a ball that went loose.After the breather Angston Sae touched down twice for the winners while Lakala Perera touched down for the second occasion evading several defenders. CH & FC lacked the cohesion and their back division was often in a disarray and dropped the ball at crucial moments.

During the latter part of the second half Havelocks lost one of their foreign players Uaisele Atelea due to ankle injury and CH & FC was minus Nilusha Fernando who was shown the yellow card.

Referee Charith Kodagoda