Defending champs Navy pip Havies from behind to win
View(s):Defending champs Navy hung in like true warriors to stage a come back after trailing for most part of the game against Havelocks to win by 17 points ( 2 goals 1 penalty) to 13 (1 goal 2 penalties) under lights at Havelock Park last evening.
A Navy player makes a break against Havelocks. – Pic by Amila Gamage
With this win Navy is now certain to secure the second spot in the Dialog sponsored ‘A’ Division inter-club tournament as Kandy still has one more gamer left against CH and it has been predicted that they will win to lead the points table at the conclusion of the first round.
Havelocks stunned the defending champs and surged into a 10/0 lead thanks to their dynamic fly half Dulaj Perera who put over a penalty and then scored under the posts, off a brilliant move initiated by his backs and converted the try himself.
Navy, not to be outdone, persisted in attack and finally reduced the deficit to a mere three points when their pack scored courtesy Kalana Amerasinghe for their reliable place kicker Reza Mubarak to sail the simple conversion over.
The score board read 10/7 in favour of the home side when New Zealander Garratt Williamson blew for lemons.
The second half produced some fast open rugby with both sides attempting to get the better off each other.
However no quarter was asked and none given by both teams as their respective defenses stood firm.
With 20 minutes to go Navy equalised through the boot of Mubarak who kicked the simple penalty after a Havies player was found guilty for holding on.10/10.
Havies responded almost immediately when Dulaj Perera once again kicked his side into the lead through a 35 metre penalty mid left. Havies led 13/10.
Navy attacked and kept on the pressure through the brilliance of the number 8 Dean Warren who made some daring forays off their own scrummages. Their persistence finally paid off when off many attacking moves their star Fijian centre Leo Kasau Nai breached the Havies line and scored almost under the posts. Mubarak put over the simple conversion as Navy then hung on to the next ten minutes to pull off one their most remarkable victories this season.
-MDF