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Army guns boom

Army 24, Havelocks 11

By Bernie Wijesekera
This year Army rugby is gearing into a new era where they have shown better rugby skills and abundant stamina. After being 11-9 at the break they ran over Havelocks by 24 points (a goal, a try and four penalty goals) to 11 (a try and two penalty goals) in the A Division Caltex League first round match at Galle Face last evening.

The Havelocks had the rugby skills and the advantage in the initial half, but failed to consolidate. The visitors matched the rugged Army forwards strength against strength and were in control. Due to lack of thinking and poor ball handling, frittered away the chances that came their way.

The Army defence stood firm with fullback T.A. Silva, a very good kicker with both feet, providing deep kicks to touch to take off the pressure. Silva was the beacon light in the Army defence.

In the second half the soldiers biting the bullet after being led 11-9, bounced back and went on the rampage. Their supporters erupted and the cheering went on like waves coming to the shore from Galle Face.

In the first session the Havelocks had their moment of glory. Saliya Kumara put over a penalty to equalize at three all. There was a spate of injuries where both teams suffered. Army flanker Jayasuriya was shown the yellow card for unwarranted play. Besides he had a bad game when he fluffed the ball constantly when the soldiers were on the offensive.

In the 30th minute Havelocks forwards co-ordinated beautifully with the ball changing several hands off a 25 metre scrum enabling winger Lalindra Rodrigo to score by the corner flag for an unconverted try to lead 8-3. Havelocks forged ahead further with a 40 metre penalty put over by Saliya Kumara 11-3.

Havelocks in defence, one of their forwards picked the ball from the ground off a ruck and were penalized. T.A. Silva made no mistake with the kick 11-6. Silva fired another kick over the crossbar - 11-9 at the short whistle.

In the second half the Havelocks lacked the power and the stamina to hold back the marauding Army forwards and melted like butter under pressure.

'Lock' Asela Abeykoon and No 8, Ganapathy fought a relentless battle in the loose, but the soldiers who showed better fire-power and in the process scored two dandy tries.

Army won the ball off a Havies lineout in the '25' and ran the ball with precision. Flanker Saman Madurusinghe cut through like a hot knife on a butter dish to fall over. T.A. Silva, who earlier put over a penalty, made no mistake with the kick to lead 19-11.

Army scored again despite the Havelocks being in their territory for a good ten minutes but failed to score. The second Army try was scored off a Havelocks linesout in the '25'.

The soldiers won the ball and ran down the line when Kotalawela slipped the ball to Kenyan center Edwin Shimanga for an unconverted try - 24-11 when referee Nizam Jamaldeen blew no side.

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