Havelocks survive Army scare in try-fest
Havelock Sports Club managed to register a close 45-42 win over Army Sports Club in their Dialog Rugby League 2019/2020 fixture worked off at Havelock Park yesterday.
A total of 13 tries were scored by both teams in a game which was played at great speed. However, Havelock SC walked away with the Yenfoo Pakstun Challenge Trophy after holding their nerve in a close finish. In the end Havies scored from a total of seven tries and five conversions against the six converted tries scored by the Soldiers.
Earlier in the first half, Havelock second-row Umesha Madushan scored the opening try of the match when he finished off a brilliant move by the entire pack as the hosts put points in the fourth minute of the match. Fly-half, Sandesh Jayawickrama added extra points.
Army SC hit back immediately as prop-forward Shehan Silva touched down beside the posts. Scrum-half Chamath Fernando added extra points to level the scores. Havies made plenty of errors in their restarts and at one instance, Army cashed in as full-back Isuru Madagedara scored a converted try to take the lead for the very first time.
Army’s joy in staying in lead was cut short by Havelocks winger Kavinda Keshan, who sneaked through the Army defense to score another converted try as the hosts leveled the scores. Madagedara put his name on the scorecard yet again touching down near the posts as Havelocks defense faltered yet again.
A few minutes later, Army, too made a couple of mistakes in their defense as Havelocks vice-captain and number eight Lasindu Ishan levelled the scores to 21-all with the third try for the hosts courtesy a well-compiled try from the back of a five-meter scrum.
Tries continued galore at Havelock Park as the home team slipped the ball inside their own 22’ and then obstructed the Army attack resulting in a penalty try being awarded for the visitors. Just before the half-time, Army extended their lead to 14 points as winger Sudaraka Dikkumbura dazzled through Havies’ poor defense structure as scores read 35-21 at the half-way point.
After the 10-minute break, Havies played far better than they did in the first half, holding onto possession. Umesh Madushan scored his second try in the game in the 45th minute while centre Randy Silva got his name in the scorecard in the 55th minute. Jayawickrama failed to add the extra points as scores read 35-33 with only the last quarter left in the match.
Replacement hooker for the home team, Azmir Fajudeen collected an offload from Vimukthi Rahula to put Havies in the lead again with only 15 minutes left in the game clock. Army bounced back to regain the lead through skipper Thusitha Senanayake but his counterpart, Mithun Hapugoda scored the match-winning try with only five minutes left in the game as Havies held on to a nail-biting win.
Referee – Priyantha Gunaratne