Havies hold their nerves to snatch close win over CH
Havelocks maintained their unbeaten run in the SLR Inter-Club League 2022, claiming the fourth win, by 20-17 against CH&FC at Havelock Park yesterday. CH, a team of star-studded players, on the other hand, continues their inability link as a team for yet another season, while suffering their third defeat. Yet they nearly claimed a win while being able to strike when Havies were down to 13 men during latter stages and striking back to lock at 17-all with few minutes left. However through a crucial penalty in the final minute Havies sealed their fourth win.
Havies led 12-3 at halftime and scored their points from three tries, a conversion and a penalty, while CH scored from two converted tries and a penalty, while drawing first blood. Playing under lights, with underfoot conditions to slow down the pace of the game, CH struck first through a penalty which came in the third minute through three-quarter Thenuka Nanayakkara. But that was they could do for the rest of the first half, despite holing on to a slender 3-0 lead for 30 minutes.
Havies, as they are known best for, gradually brought the game under their control before striking first through winger Asitha Punchihewa in the 30th minute to take the lead 5-3, while at the same time CH were brought down to 14 men with flanker Shehan Dias earning a yellow card.
Making use of the situation, centre Theekshana Dasanayake struck through the CH defence to score an easy try, and with flyhalf Sandesh Jayawickrama adding extra points, Havies stretched their lead to 12-3 by halftime.
The home team took matters on to their own hand soon after the turnaround to expand the lead to 17-3, with scrumhalf Mithun Hapugoda making a canny move to score an unconverted try. But out of nowhere CH struck through three-quarter Ganuka Dissanayake, who scored a peach of a try in the 58th minute. With Nanayakkara kicking the conversion through CH cut down the deficit to 17-10.
Havies lost flanker Maleesha Jayaratne and lock Chalana Chamikara within a phase of five minute at the 69th and 74th minutes, as CH made use of the opportunity to strike. Centre Janindu Dilshan touched down in the 77th minute while Nanayakkara put over the conversion to help CH tie with Havies at 17-all with just couple of minutes remaining.
But they too were overwhelmed by the situation and panicked, spoiling a golden opportunity to end the game in a draw at least. Instead they charged and were penalised, offering Havies the vital breakthrough to give flyhalf Jayawickrama the opportunity to put over the penalty and seal the win by 20-17.