Havies continue unbeaten run

Havelocks continued their unbeaten run in the league when they edged passed Navy - which until then sported an unblemished record - 26-19 in a tense encounter played last Sunday. 

Meanwhile, Kandy continued their dominance by staying perfect in Nittawela when they outclassed CR&FC 53-29. In the other game Police scored their first win for the season when they outclassed last-placed CH&FC while the last game of the week saw Air Force edge out Army 32-29 in Ratmalana.

After early penalties from Dulaj Perera for Havelocks and Thilina Weerasinghe for the Welisara club, Navy scored through Dulanjana Wijesinghe to leave the score reading 13-3 heading into halftime. 

A try from Shenal Dileeka and a conversion and penalty from the safe boots of Perera tied the scores at 13. Perera and Weerasinghe then traded penalties before a winning try came from experienced former Sri Lanka Sevens Skipper Sudharshan Muthuthanthri. 

Havelocks remains unbeaten for yet another week but their real test awaits them in Nittawela next weekend against defending champions Kandy, who are one of the toughest teams to beat at home in front of their strong crowd, which often numbers in excess of 5,000.

First win for Police

Police scored their first win of the season after being defeated on five previous occasions playing without their star Musheen Faleel while Reza Rafaideen spectacularly announced his return to the side from injury with a sensational try in the first half which had the cops leading 26-0 at halftime.

After the break, Police scored a converted try but CH&FC replied with three tries to reduce the gap to 33-21. But Police scored back-to-back tries through Rafaideen and Kodituwakku with CH&FC only able to record one try before running out of time.    

Soldiers third 

time unlucky 

Meanwhile, Air Force took a comfortable 24-15 lead into halftime in their game against Army. Playing with the wind in the second half, Army failed to capitalise on their advantage by kicking deep. Instead they opted to kick high and were unable to make any significant territorial gains. Air Force increased their lead through another handy try before Army made a bold comeback through some gritty and determined play which reduced the deficit to seven points.

Then Charith Seneviratne, one of the season’s most accurate kickers, converted a penalty to push Air Force’s lead to 10 points. In the last few minutes Sumedha Nanayakkara touched down for the Soldiers with Salinda adding the extra two points to narrow the gap to three. Although the Soldiers kept on attacking the airmen’s 22, Air Force’s defence held tight until the final whistle. With this encounter Army continued their losing streak in the league, dropping to sixth on the table.

Second half burst takes Kandy through   

  After a close first half, Kandy bounced back strongly, capitalising on CR&FC’s mistakes earlier in the second half to beat them 53-29 at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium. 

At halftime the scores were level at 22. But in the second half CR made four mistakes and Kandy capitalised to score three converted tries. The red shirts never recovered from that moment. 

Both teams dished out fast and open rugby in the first half with CR looking much more organised in their play. The game, which was played at a hectic pace, saw both sides showing their willingness to use their quick three quarter lines. 

For CR it was once again their centre Tharinda Ratwatte who had a grand outing. He was simply magnificent in whatever he did. He attacked, defended and converted and his support play was outstanding. At one point in the game it seemed as though Ratwatte was singlehandedly taking on Kandy. Nevertheless, he was well supported by Omalka Gunaratne, Ishan Noor and Kavindu Perera. 

For Kandy it was their fullback Tharindu Wijesinghe who made major territorial advances for the upcountry outfit, allowing them to attack their opponent’s half during most of the second stanza. In attack too Wijesinghe joined the three quarter line on most occasions which looked dangerous in attack, opening holes in their opponent’s defensive line. 

He was well supported by centre Dhanushka Ranjan and wingers Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and Richard Dharmapala. In forwards’ play their hooker Mohamed Ali, who was inserted in the starting line-up, was lightning fast on the loose ball. Rock solid Number 8 Buwanaka Udangamuwa too was threatening for Kandy in attack. (SJ)