Resolute Havies hand revamped CR third straight defeat
View(s):In a game that eventually turned out to be a true battle Havelocks Sports Club managed to salvage over a resounding CR&FC with a scoreline of 31-24 in a Dialog Rugby League second round game played under light at Havelock Park yesterday.
The Red Shirts, who were coming out from two straight defeats, were tipped to face their third straight, but they never made it easy for the Havies, who are eyeing the top position. Though the Havies led the game 14-7 at halftime, the battle was intense after the turnaround where the lead fluctuated between the two sides before Havies scored twice in a short span to throw away the doubts of a surprising defeat.
Havelocks won with a tally of five tries and two conversions while the first of the five was a penalty try awarded in the 29th minute. CR scored from four tries and two conversions, while almost taking the victory home. The game was played with fierce intensity as the home team was give four yellow cards and the visitors, with three sit outs.
CR came in with a radical plan as they opened the scoring of the match with No.8 Omalka Gunaratne touching down in the 23rd minute. Full back Riza Raffaideen added extra points to give CR a lead of 7-0, but strong foul play five minutes later, forced them to concede a penalty try as the game levelled 7-7. Winger Chamara Dabare made a brilliant touchdown in the 38th minute followed by a conversion from fullback Riza Mubarak to earn the Havies a 14-7 lead by halftime.
After the turnaround Lasindu Karunatilleke scored an unconverted try to see Havies reach 19 against 7 of CR, but the deficit lasted just less than 20 minutes. The rampaging Gunaratne touched down for CR in the 64th minute to put his team back on track as Raffaideen put over to make it 14-9. Within three minutes Raffaideen made a brilliant breakthrough to equalise through an unconverted try, 19-19.
That’s when the game got more physical, as both teams tried to prevent the other, while looking for scoring chances. However out of nowhere centre Mithun Hapugoda grabbed an unattended ball to run past the CR defence and score under-the-post unchallenged. Mubarak added extra points but the Havies never looked like they are prepared to relax as prop Dushmantha Priyadarshana touched down off a rolling maul in the 77th minute to reach the tally of 31 points. Three quarter Mithila Perera made a sudden breakthrough in the 79th minute to score an unconverted try to take CR’s total to 24, but it was way too late for them to retaliate.