Havelocks SC prevail over CR 29-23
Havelocks SC came back in the final stages of the second half of their Dialog Rugby League 2013 rugby tournament encounter against traditional rivals CR and FC to secure a close 29-23 victory in the match under lights at Havelock Park yesterday.
It was the Red Shirts who held on to a slender one point lead at lemons (13-12) and Havies accumulated their points through three goals a try and a penalty to the two goals and three penalties scored by CR.
CR was the first to put up the score on the board in the fifth minute through try by winger Vishwamithra Jayasinghe with full back Reza Mubarak adding the extra points.
Tongan Afia Havie of Havelocks carries a CR player on his shoulders on the way to score a try. - Pic by Amila Gamage
But that was short-lived as Havelocks replied with a try by their reliable and gritty winger Sandun Herath who went over for an unconverted try two minutes later.
From there on it turned out to be a ding-dong-battle with the two sides exchanging the lead. It took another 22 minutes for the next scoring to be done which was by the Red Shirts with Reza Mubarak making no mistake with the penalty offered, thus helping his side to increase the lead to 10-5.
But the home side undeterred struck three minutes with their Tonga player and centre Afia Havie barging his way for an under the post try which gave full back Mohamed Sherrif an easy kick at goal and Havelocks took over the lead at 12-10.
In the dying stages of this session CR’s reliable kicker Reza Mubarak enabled his side to grab back the lead when he booted over a penalty with which the short whistle was blown.
The resumption saw Havelocks throwing away an opportunity of surging ahead when a penalty was fluffed in the third minute. But Tongan and second centre Willie Hakala made amends 11 minutes later when he booted over a penalty.
Three minutes later Havies increased their lead with winger Sandun Herath going over for his second try of the match and Willie Hakala doing the finishing touches to give the home team a nine point lead (22-13).
CR dealt a blow for the Havies when they scored twice within a space of six minutes with a try by centre Lafal Vaa and Mubarak adding the extra points. Mubarak followed it up by booting over a difficult penalty to give the Red Shirts a one point lead (23-22). But they relaxed and paid the penalty as Havielocks struck back three minutes away from the long whistle through a try by Tongan Paula Kaho with Hakala adding the extra points which ensured them victory. Referee – Anura Rankothge. – MSA
Easy win for Upcountry Lions
Despite a delayed start, Upcountry Lions staged a gallant display to turn down Hambantota Sharks their first win, by claiming a 30-6 victory in their Dialog Division ‘A’ club rugby match played at Nawalapitiya yesterday. Tournament debutants Sharks, who are seeking their first victory, had to turn back empty handed having suffered their second straight defeat and after drawing a game against a mediocre Air Force side.
Upcountry Lions recorded their second win of the season after dominating in their own backyard with four tries, two conversions and two penalties. The Sharks who trailed 6-16 at halftimes were conceded with two penalties by their opponents.
Virtually the encounter belonged to the Lions who made all efforts to thwart all attempts made by their opponent’s as Srinath Sooriyabandara, Nigel Ratwatte, Tavita Taudui and Kanchana Ramanayake crossed the line for them. Chanaka Kumara converted two tries and both penalties, adding 10 points from his boots to the final tally. Sai’a Langa kicked both penalties that came in favour of the Sharks. The start of the match was delayed by 20 minutes as the doctors and the ambulance, whose presence is essential for any match played under the IRB rule, were not punctual. Priyantha Gunaratne refereed. – SJ