Havies overcome Airmen in scrappy game
Havelock Sports Club delivered an authoritative performance to defeat Air Force SC 40-22 in their Super Round Cup Segment match of the SLR Mastercard Club Rugby League at Havelock Park yesterday. The victory ensured Havelocks continue to hold on to their position at second in the standings, with 49 points, just behind title contenders Kandy SC, who leads the table with 53 points.
Havelocks went into the break with a narrow 19-17 lead after a thrilling first half, and scored from six tries and five conversions. The Airmen posted four tries and converted one of them.
The match, full of twists and turns, kicked off with Air Force striking first. In the eighth minute, the visitors took the lead when prop Manuka Perera touched down, and centre Gayantha Iddamalgoda converted the try, giving Air Force a 7-0 advantage.
Havies were shocked by the Airmen, yet managed to make a comeback - Pic courtesy ThePapare
However, Havelocks responded swiftly. In the 18th minute, scrumhalf Rifan Mohomed powered over the line for an unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 7-5. The Park Club were back on level terms soon after, as lock Udara Lakshan scored a well-worked try in the 23rd minute. Fullback Samuel Maduwantha’s successful conversion gave Havelocks a 12-7 lead.
But the Airmen weren’t going down without a fight. Lock Pramod Padmashanka’s unconverted try in the 27th minute brought the game back to a deadlock at 12-12. Air Force then regained the lead in the 34th minute when hooker Chamika Kaushan, one of the season’s top try scorers, crossed the line for an unconverted try, making the score 17-12 in favour of the visitors.
As the first half neared its conclusion, Havelocks’ winger Jayathu Rajaratne struck back in the 38th minute with a superb try in the far right corner. Maduwantha’s flawless conversion gave Havelocks a 19-17 lead as the teams went into the break.
The second half saw Air Force edge ahead again. In the 50th minute, prop Sandun Mandiv scored an unconverted try, putting Air Force back in front at 22-19. But Havelocks were quick to respond. In the 56th minute, a maul controlled by former captain and hooker Azmir Fajudeen set up flyhalf Sandesh Jayawickrama for Havelocks’ fourth try. Maduwantha added the extras, and the Park Club were back on top at 26-22.
Havelocks then began to pull away. Just two minutes later, Rajaratne scored his second try, exploiting space on the right wing. With Maduwantha’s conversion, the lead grew to 33-22. In the dying moments of the match, prop Charana Sendanayake sealed the victory for Havelocks with a try in the mid-left, and Maduwantha’s conversion brought the score to a comprehensive 40-22.