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Monday, 23 January 2023 02:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Police and Havies in competition for a line out ball
By Shamseer Jaleel
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| Praveen Charles on the attack for Kandy SC
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Havelock Sports Club were edged out by Police Sports Club in a closely contested Nippon Paint Rugby League encounter which concluded at Havelock Park last weekend. This encounter was played for the Gamini Fernando Memorial trophy. With this defeat which is the second for the Park Club after their initial one against their traditional rivals CR going could get tougher in order to secure the league title after a lapse of a couple of years. Park Club dropped down to number three position after week six and their Head Coach Sanath Martis needs to do a miracle now.
Havies drew first blood early in the game when Chanaka Chandimal found the try line with Sandesh Jayawickrema adding the extra two points. But the lead was short lived as the Cops hit back immediately through their skipper, Nisala Samadhi try and Yohan Peiris conversion. A few minutes later Shanaka Harischandra went over for the Police’s second try with Yohan adding the extras to take the lead at 14/7. Randitha Warnapura touched down for the Park Club to cut the deficit to two points at 12/14. Yohan Peiris try and conversion for the Cops was replied by Vimukthi Rahula try and Sandesh Jayawickrema conversion to see the scores at 21/19 favouring the Cops. Referee Priyantha Gunaratne
Another close shave for Kandy
Kandy Sports Club pulled off a close 27/25 win over the CH outfit at the Racecourse ground and maintained their unbeaten record in the league after week six.
The defending champions played good rugby settling in well early in the game with two quick tries by Kavindu Perera and Tharinda Ratwatte to take an early 10/0 lead. CH hit back soon afterwards, settling in with a try through Ovin Hettiarachchi. Then Hirusha Sampath put over a good 40-meter penalty to cut the deficit to 2 points favouring Kandy.
Kandy, using their forwards scored their next try when their hooker, Uchitha Jayasuriya touched down through a forward’s rush. Tharinda Ratwatte was on target with the kick at goal to take the scores to 17/8 favouring the Up-Country club.
After the short breather CH played with better coordination and made a comeback into the game. Hirusha Sampath was on target with a penalty to reduce the gap to six points, but Tharinda Ratwatte was soon on target with a penalty kick. Yoshitha Rajapakse next touched down for the home team with Hirusha Sampath converting the scores and came so close yet so far for the CH at 18/20.
But Kandy’s three quarters experience was too much as they scored their bonus point try through Chathura Soysa. Nigel Ratwatte was on target with the kick as Tharinda Ratwatte walked off the field with an injury a few minutes earlier giving the kicking duties to Nigel. CH scored their last try through Yoshitha Rajapakse and Hirusha Sampath was on target but still it was not enough to stop the defending champions to have another narrow shave in the league. Referee Hasantha Weranga
