Sailors row home for an easy win
View(s):By Narendra Kulatunga
Dinusha Chaturanga, Lee Keegal and Nivanka Prasad came up brilliant performances and that aided Navy ‘A’ clinch the second edition of the Western Province Rugby Sevens title, with complete ease at Police Park yesterday. Thus the Sailors beat Havelocks ‘A’ by 32 points to 10 points.
At the break Navy led 15-5. Both teams included with many experienced players in the shorter version were on show, but the Navy had the total edge over their rivals. Chathuranga scored first try for the sailors unopposed after a short tap taken and after the line was set in motion. Minutes later Saliya Handapangoda, increased the lead for sailors with a blistering 40 metre run. And minutes before the break, Chaturanga again had a touch of the ball to score his second try of the match. Chanaka Chandimal fluffed all three conversions. For Havies with one player sin binned still managed to cross the Navy line with Shamri Burah falling over.
After the turn around, many expected Havies to come back strongly but Keegal and Prasad stood in their way. In this session two Navy players and a Havies player was sin binned. Prasad after collecting a pass made a powerful run to the line fending off couple of defenders. Then it was Keegal’s turn to take the game further away from their rivals. He powered his way to score two scintillating tries. Chandimal was successful with one conversion. For Havies, the final try was scored by Lasintha Karunathilake.
A total of 23 teams took part in this years Western Province Sevens Rugby tournament. And this was successfully sponsored for the second time by South Asian Gateway Terminals( SAGT).
Cup Final : Navy ‘A’ beat Havelocks ‘A’ 32-10
Plate Final : Navy ‘B’ beat CH and FC 29-5
Bowl Final : Old Kannangara beat Black Hawks 15-12
Shield Final : Old Mudalians beat St. John’s ‘Greens’ 33-0