Two late second half tries takes Havies in to final

Jayathu scores one of his three tries for Havies 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Two late second half tries took Havelock Sports Club in to the final when they beat CH and FC by 37 points (6 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) to 27 points (4 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) at the Racecourse ground in their second semi-final of the Clifford Cup Knockout rugby encounter yesterday evening.

At the short breather Havies led 14/12.

Havies saved the best for this game with the late second half burst. They opted to bring their place kicker, Samuel Maduwantha in to play in the later half. Park Club was fortunate to have former D.S. player Jayathu Rajarathna who had a grand game,, running down three tries for the Park Club while ample support coming in from skipper, Azmir Fajudeen, Rifan Mohamed and Randitha Warnapura.

Meanwhile CH too played well and never gave up so easily. Prasath Madusanka, Maliksha Perera, and Hirusha Sampath their skipper played well. Unfortunately, both the place kickers, Samuel Maduwantha (Havies) and Hirusha Sampath (CH) were both not accurate according to their own high standards as pressure hits them with the game being so closely fought.

Havies drew first blood in the 3rd minute of the game through a fine cross kick by Sandesh Jayawickrema which was collected by Jayathu Rajarathna to score their first try, Janith Chandimal made a beautiful corner flag conversion. Five minutes later CH received a penalty which was taken by Hirusha Sampath but unfortunately it hit the upright of the goal post. CH who kept on attacking scored their first try through a forwards rush when Prasath Madusanka touched down. Kick at goal was missed by Hirusha Sampath.

CH who dominated proceedings in the second quarter of the game saw their nippy scrum half, Maliksha Perera dancing his way untouched for a try and Sampath conversion to take the lead at 12/7 favoring CH. Jayathu Rajarathna who looked unstoppable for Havies touched down his second try minutes before the short breather, Janith Chandimal added the extra 2 points to take Havies in to 14/12 lead at the short breather.

After the turn around Sampath took CH ahead through a penalty kick. In the next few exchanges saw CH lock forward, Gihan Jayamanna went over the try line. Sampath added the extra 2 points to take 22/14 lead. Samuel Maduwantha who came in the later half cut the deficit through a long range penalty kick. Havies levelled the scores when Randitha Warnapura who was in top speed to touch down another try for the Park Club. Maduwantha missed the conversion but Havies took the lead 27/22. CH once again levelled scores with Nirosh Perera try but once again ever reliable kicker the former Kingswoodian, Hirusha Sampath missed kick at goal.

The game going in to the last 10 minutes was in Havies favour when Jayathu Rajarathna completed his hat trick of tries while Chatura Dilshan touched once to take his team in to the final.

Referee Aruna Shantha

Havies will play Police SC in the final of the Clifford Cup rugby on 9 March.