Havelocks copped by Police
Police SC found success after five years in the Clifford Cup knock-out rugby competition when they gained a 34-20 win over Havelocks in the Dialog Knouckout game worked off at the Race Course Grounds yesterday. Police’s points were made up of five tries, three conversions and a penalty while the Havelocks points came up on the board from two converted tries and two penalties.
Police player Apisai Naqaliva bursts through to score the last try of the game against Havelocks. - Pic by Amila Gamage
Police played a well planned out game. They had plenty of good ball with the forwards striving hard to win it and the outsides showed a liking to run with the it. This resulted in the three-quarter opening out the game with skilful running.
An incident with is worth mentioning in the game took place in the dying moments of the game when the Police coach shouted at the referee pointing to the clock at the Race Course, indicating that the time was right for the long whistle. Undaunted referee Anura Rankothge, pointed towards his wristwatch and continued with the game.
Police opened scoring in the seventh minute with foreign player Seru Filimoni, playing at centre scored by the left corner flag and Eranda Weerakkody converted to put Police in the lead at 7-0. In the 16th minute referee Rankothge awarded a penalty for Havelocks and Dulaj Perera put over the 39 metre penalty. Police led 7-3 at this stage.
Havelocks took a slender 7-6 lead next when Dulaj Perera put over penalty. Police missed a chance of being ahead when Eranda missed a difficult penalty. Police gained a 14-6 lead next when linkman Sudam Suriyarachchi scored and Eranda converted. Police scored next when Eranda scored a try and he himself converted to put Police firmly ahead at 21-6. In the 37th minute Sudam scored his second try by the left corner flag which was unconverted. Police led 26-6 at the breather.
On resumption referee Rankothge gave a yellow card to Ganuka Dissanayake of Havelocks. In the 48th minute of the second half Rimsi Jamaldeen put over an easy penalty for Police to put them ahead at 29-6.
In the 60th minute Havelocks centre Danushka Ranjan made a break to score. Dulaj made no mistake with the conversion to put them firmly ahead at 29-13. In the 74th minute Havelocks scored through a penalty try, awarded for repeating an off side. This was put over by Dulaj Perera.
In the dying moments of the game Apisai Naqaliva burst through to score an unconverted try which put the final tally in favour of Police at 34-20.
* TODAY – Navy take on Army at Race course at 4.15pm.