Look out for Havies

Havies had a perfect start for the season

By Shamseer Jaleel

Havelock SC 35 points

Navy SC 3 points

Havelock Sports Club sent out a strong warning to the other seven clubs in the league with a resounding 35/3 win over Navy Sports Club in their season opener away at Welisara.

At the short breather Park Club led 21/3.

Havies as in the recent past lost out as many as five of their senior players to CH&FC and CR&FC this season but still their young and determined team under nippy Mithun Hapugoda was a piece of class in their act. 

They worked as a team under difficult conditions with heavy rain, difficult ball handling conditions on offer. Azmeer Fajudeen, Mithun Hapugoda and Prince Chamara were outstanding. Chamara showed no gap between him and Reza Mubarak who crossed over to CR. Chamara was accurate in all his five kicks at goal.

Though Navy started off with a penalty through Isuru Kongahawatte, Havies hit back through hooker Fajudeen and Chamara added the extras. Next try was a beautiful one by Mithun Hapugoda and the last one before the short breather was through former Pathana lad Randy Silva. Chamara was accurate in both of them.

Havies who never lost control of the game in tandem scored their points never allowing the home team to score though they made several bold attempts to touchdown. Park Club defence was rock solid as their Head Coach Sanath Martis is no pushover under any conditions with any teams. Rukmal Fernando and Dinusha Ariyapala tries with Chamara’s accuracy in kicking took the Park Club home with a bonus point win. Referee Aaqil Jamaldeen.

CH hold Army

CH&FC 8 points

Army SC 8 points

A bold second half rally took CH&FC on level terms against the gutsy Solders to end the game with eight apiece. The Solders settled fast and scored their eight points in the initial half through Ashan Bandara and Madageera’s penalty took them to an eight to nothing lead at the short breather. This was shocking for many who thought it will be a cakewalk for the CH&FC outfit.

After the turnaround, it was CH&FC who settled and dominated through some fantastic forwards play through Sathya Ranathunge and debut maker Dhirendra Ratwatte (Snr.) who played their hearts out. Sathya touched down the only try for CH with Samuel Maduwantha slotting over a penalty to settle for a draw. Referee Gihan Yatawara.

CR edge out Police

CR&FC 17 points

Police SC 13 points

CR&FC under national XV-a-side skipper Omalka Gunaratne pulled off a hard fought 17/13 win over the Cops.

At the short breather CR led 7/3.

The game was played under wet ground conditions with forwards from both teams handling the ball well. CR were minus their stars Reza Rafaideen and Kevin Dixon while Sharo Fernando, Dinuk Amarasinghe and Sandun Herath made their debuts for the Red Shirts while it was another season for Reza Mubarak who played for CR some time earlier in his career.

Janith Chandimal’s penalty took the Cops in to the scoreboard first but CR&FC hit back through Janidu Dilshan try. Reza Mubarak conversion made it 7/3 favouring the Red Shirts. After the turn around Rasith Silva not only touched down but also took the Cops in to the lead. But their lead was short-lived as Reza Mubarak took CR in to lead through a penalty. 

Then it was time for the try of the match when Janidu Dilshan who covered nearly 30 m before passing it on to his team mate and national youth player Gemunu Chethiya with his lightning speed Police defence was all over. Reza Mubarak’s accuracy in kicking continued to take the lead to 17/8. 

Police played well in the last 10 minutes through their Fijian Vunivosa who had a grand game. Sujan Kodituwakku went over the line for their only try. Police who were five points behind opted not to take the conversion as they ran out of time. Though the last three minutes of the game Cops with the ball danced around and tried to reach CR line but it was too late as they ran out of time. Referee Priyantha Gunaratne.