Sports
|
||||
| Another
"Havies" fumble
The rugby itself was not something to write home about, but Army's determination to overcome the resistance offered by the Park Club on their home turf kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Yesterday's match was all about Army's great fightback and the piquant might have beens of the Havelocks. The Park Club were not without scoring opportunities. In fact their new found place cum drop kicker Asela Abeykoon even tried a Jonny Wilkinson type drop kick. Unfortunately the attempt hit the cross bar and bounced back into play. If this had gone over it would have been a different story. This was in the 27th minute of the second half. With the minutes ticking bye, Army scored far left when their winger Lanka (a B Division player) crossed the line after a brief sprint. T.A. Silva was off the mark with the conversion. Havelocks took the lead in the 15th minute of the first half when full back Saliya Kumara, the former Vidyartha and Trinity player scored off a move initiated by Thajudeen on the blind side. Thajudeen made the pass after a surprise break and Saliya Kumara sprinted through like a deer to score far left. Until this point Army held on to a slender 3-0 lead through a T.A. Silva penalty in the 22nd minute. Havelocks hit back to snatch the lead at 5-3 through an unconverted try by Asela Abeykoon. The score line moved like a pendulum when T.A. Silva was on target with his boots to put over a 30 meter penalty (Army lead 6-5). Army whittling away at a stubborn Havelocks defence, cut down the lead methodically but Havelocks always managed to stay ahead. Then came Army's great resurgence. Urged on by their die-hard supporters who shouted themselves hoarse, Army scored in the 27th minute when Kumara touched down under the posts. The Havelocks were caught napping as Kumara cut through the defence like a hot knife through butter, to touch down. Silva converted and Army were very much in the fight at 13-18. Like a Panzer battling odds Army rolled on the heavy artillery until Lanka touched down and Army held centre stage at 18 all. That was all as far as the scoring went. There was a definite improvement in Army's rugby after their showing against Air Force last week. Havelocks have still not recorded a win this season and it was only last week they they ate humble pie at the hands of the Navy. Referee Anil Jayasinghe. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
