Navy Sports Club booked their place in their second consecutive Clifford Cup final berth when they got the better of Havelocks Sports Club by 23 points (2 Tries, 2 Conversion, 2 Drop Goals, 1 Penalty) to 12 Points (2 Tries, 1 Conversion) in their Caltex Clifford Cup semi-final encounter at the Royal Sports Complex yesterday.
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| Navy winger Samantha Lakshan with the ball is held by Havelocks center Anuruddha Wilwara. Pic by Susantha Liyanawatte. |
At the short breather it was the Sailors who led 10 nil.
The game was played at a good pace with the Havies holding on to the much fitter Navy forwards.
Havies down fall was mainly due to the fact that they expected too much from their two expatriate players from Tonga.
For Havelocks Dilip Selvam and Kavinda Jayasinghe played well both in attack as well in defense.
Navy on their part did their level best and as a unit and the understanding they had between players was excellent. Bilal Hassen and Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa played their hearts out for the Sailors.
Two kickable penalties by Amjad Buksh and a missed try by Rathnage were too costly for the Park Club who had a grand season both in the League as well in the knock outs.
Navy drew first blood in the 6th minute with a Dev Anand penalty. Ten minutes later through a forwards rush burly Sathya Runathunge touched down for the Sailors. Dev added the extra 2 points to take “Lemons” at 10-0.
After the turn around tries were scored for Havies through Centre Anurudha Wilvara and replacement scrum half Roshan Rajapakse. Sajith Bandara added the extra 2 points.For Navy Dev Anand was on target with 2 drop goals and Namal Rajapaksa scored a try.
Referee Priyantha Gunaratne
Assistant Referees Nizam Jamaldeen and Irshad Cader. |
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