Havies second half burst too much for Kandy SC
View(s):The second half burst put in by Havelocks SC was too much for Kandy SC to handle as the Park club romped to a convincing 34 points to 17 victory in their penultimate match of the Division A Dialog Rugby league tournament played at the Havelock Park yesterday.
The scores at the lemons was 12-10 in favour of Havelocks who made up their points through three goals, two tries and a penalty to the two goals and a penalty scored by Kandy SC.
The hero of the Havies team, star winger winger Sandun Herath with his robust run rattled the Kandy SC defenders. The Lions paid the penalty for being too fast in the first half and in contrast the Havies who played a cool game, preserved their stamina to be used when the need arised and that’s what they just did. However with a tight finish in the first session the supporters of both sides would have been looking forward for a close finish but it was not to be as the Havies’ late burst was too much.
Action from the flood-lit match played at Havelock Park - Pic by Ranjith Perera
It was Kandy SC who made the first scoring in the eighth minute through a penalty booted over by scrum half Roshan Weeraratne. But that was short-lived as five minutes later winger Chamara Dabare’s try and William Hakalo adding the extra points. This put Havies in the lead.
Undeterred Kandy SC kept up the pressure and ran circles around the Havies defence which ended in winger Anuradha Wilwara going over for a try. With Roshan Weeraratne’s conversion Kandy led 10-7.
Havelocks got into action with their heavy pack and gave the Kandy SC defenders a torrid time. Winger Sandun Herath in the melee sneaked through for a right corner flag try and with the conversion being fluffed the lemons were taken with Havies leading by a slender two points 12-10.
The resumption saw Kandy SC going into the attack and a try two minutes into the game by centre Gayan Weeraratne with his brother Roshan making the conversion saw them take back the lead 17-12.
Ten minutes later the Park Club got an opportunity of reducing the deficit when they were offered a penalty but Joe Brown’s kick went astray. It took another 21 minutes for the next scoring to be done which was by Havies which came off a five metre line out and their No.8 T. Pole barging through for an unconverted try.
Havies followed it up with another try which was scored in the same pattern as the previous one that came off through a five metre line out with fly half Niroshan Fernando going over for the try and full back Mohamed Sherrif making the conversion.
Six minutes before the long whistle winger Herath following a kick by Sherrif sprinted, grabbed the ball and sizzled through the Kandy defenders for an under the post try. Sherrif no mistake with the conversion as the win was almost sealed for the Park Club boys.
Sherrif ensured their victory when he booted over a penalty in the dying stages for Havies to come out easy winners 34-17.
The match refereed by Englishmen Mark Jackson was of high standard which came for high praise from the spectators.
Havies will play their last first round match against Hambantota Sharks (which was postponed twice) on January 22 at Longden Place. – MSA