Sports

Sports

Havelocks copped
Police through in bruising battle
Police 13 Havelocks 8
By Bernie Wijesekera
In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Police SC after leading 10-8 at the short whistle, battled out grimly to earn a hard fought 13 points (a goal and two penalty goals) to 8 (a try and a penalty) to win their opener against Havelocks SC watched by an appreciative crowd at Havelock Park, last evening.

Both teams fielded foreigners. The blue shirted team had fly-half Luke-the play-maker who was the match winner. He scored a dandy try off a line-out in the Havies '25'. Off an ensuing ruck the Law enforcing officers won the ball and Luke wriggled over the line. He himself, took the spot kick and added the extra points. Earlier Luke put over a penalty. The Cops were leading 10-3. The Havies scored a penalty in the 18th minute of the first half put over by Saliya Kumara.

It was a ding dong battle by the respective forwards who fought out ferociously in the loose. Possession was shared. The Havies forwards matched their counterparts but the back-line handled the ball poorly. The Blue shirted eight had the strength and power and thwarted the Havies three quarters with some bone-jarring tackles.

In the 38th minute the Havies had their moment of glory. Last year's Thomian schoolboy Wasim Thajudeen off a midfield line out won the ball. Thajudeen with a zig-zag 40-yard run ran solo to bemuse the Police defence to fall over for an unconverted try. At lemons 10-8.

After the turnaround the Havies could have forged ahead with a penalty in the third minute but Saliya Kumara fluffed the kick which lacked direction. The Park club team to the echo of "Go Havies , Go" went on the offensive. The two Tongan flankers Siopse and centre Nase playing a ferocious game kept on hammering with the entire back division. But poor handling cost them of two certain tries.

In the last line Police fullback was safe and sure and collecting the high ball and constantly formed the overlap. But teams made lapses and was constantly blown for infringements. Two players from either side second row Wilson (Police) and Ganapathy in the second half (Havies) were sent to the sin bin for unwarranted play.

This was a game that the Havies could have won if they had a dependable place kicker. Saliya Kumara's kicks at the crossbar lacked direction. The Havies playing this opener with a mixture of youth and experience should make amends. Luke the Police stand off scored the solitary three points (penalty) in the entire second half to take the lead and the match for the blue shirts. Their coach S.W. Chang in the end was a happy man. It was his first baptism as the blue shirted coach.

Referee: Aruna Jayasekera.
* Today Air Force will take on CR&FC at the Rathmalana base grounds. Kick off is scheduled for 4.45 p.m.

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