Police shock Havies with nervy win
Police delivered Havelocks the shocker they never anticipated
Intentions of Havelocks’ to be in contention for the league title was thwarted by the unsuspecting Police Sports Club, as the Cops recorded a close 21-19 win in their second round SLR Nippon Paint Club Rugby League Championship match played at Havelock Park yesterday.
Leading by two points 14-12, Police SC maintained their class to score from three converted tries while Havelocks suffered their second defeat of the season after scoring from three tries and two conversions.
Showing off their intentions clearly from the kickoff, a fired-up Havelocks side scored within five minutes off fullback Chanaka Chandimal, whose try was converted by flyhalf Sandesh Jayawickrama to gain an early 7-0 lead. Playing in their own backyard, Havelocks failed to maintain their stronghold for long, as flanker Nisal Samadhi breached the defence to brace a try in the 11th minute. With flyhalf Yohan Peiris’ conversion, the Cops equalised 7-all.
Nine minutes later, Police SC made use of an opening to score from a try off forward Shanaka Harischandra, as Peiris added the extra points to help their team gain a healthy 14-7 lead. Winger Randitha Warnapura managed to break away from the rest to score a brilliant try for Havelocks in the 23rd minute, but with a failed conversion, the home team took the halftime break with a two-point deficit behind the Cops.
Police three-quarter Rukshan Madushanka was shown a yellow card a minute before the halftime, and he was joined by Havelocks’ Warnapura three minutes after the resumption, reducing the strength of both teams to 14. But an overpowered Police side made a brilliant team effort to give flyhalf Peiris the ball to touchdown, as he went on to add the extra points and expand the lead to 21-12 by the 47th minute.
Three minutes later Havelocks retaliated with a well worked off try, as scrumhalf Vimukthi Rahula braced a try to reduce the deficit. With Jayawickrama’s conversion they regained momentum, but was still trailing by two points 19-21.
However both sides failed to score for the next 30 minutes, as the game ended in Police’s favour, to give the bottom seed team their second win of the season.