Havelocks win at last!

After six defeats in-a- row Havelocks had something to cheer about when they toppled Police 21-10 in a Caltex ‘A’ Division second round league rugby game at Police Park yesterday. Havelocks led 21-3 at the turn around.

Havelocks had more of the game in the first session. It was the opposite after the re-start. Police were more dominant but their forwards and three-quarters lacked cohesion. Added to that the Police forwards lacked the stamina to press home the ample advantages they had.

For the record Havelocks started the season with defeats against Air Force, Kandy, CR and CH in the first round. Then again they were at the receiving end against Kandy and CH in the second round encounters. They had two wins - against Old Zahirians and Army. The win against Police yesterday was their third win for the season in as much as ten games this season.

Havelocks skipper and hooker Rajeev Perera who spoke to The Sunday Times just before the game ended (after he left the field due to an injury) was looking anxiously at the clock and hoped desperately that his team would win, which they did.

The post match feeling was different with coach Tusitha Peiris slapping the backs of the joyous Havelocks players.

Police started with a lot of promise with Sudesh Dissanayake firing across a 45 meter penalty in the sixth minute to put them ahead at 3-0.

Havelocks came into the scene with Shakir Badurdeen going over for a try but accidentally stepped out! In the 10th minute Ruchira Rathnage nicknamed ‘Tarzan’ scored far right off a second phased move and Samantha Lakshan made a difficult conversion look fairly easy. Havelocks shot into the lead at 7-3. Ravi Jayasuriya caught the eye with some determined play for the Pink and Brown jerseys and Chaturanga Amarasinghe scored off a forwards rush enabling Samantha Lakshan to convert correctly to put them further ahead at 14-3.

Ravi Jayasuriya touched down for the Park Club next and once again Samantha Lakshan was on target with his kick to put the Havelocks firmly ahead at 21-3 at the breather.

On resumption Police dominated but lacked the know-how and the stamina to turn their efforts into scoring opportunities. They also took a heavy toll by way of injuries.

Nevertheless Police struck back through a try by hooker Dharshee Jayasinghe and Sudesh Dissanayake converted to put the final Police tally to 10 and Havelocks 21