CH & FC must call themselves unlucky as they failed to make the many opportunities that came their way to score in the dying minutes of the game as Havelocks won 27-21 their inter club League rugby match at the Race Course ground in Colombo yesterday.
With this win Havelock SC took hold of the YC Chang trophy that was on offer for the first time scoring four tries, two conversions and a penalty as against three tries and three conversions by CH & FC.
CH scored first in the second half when they won a line out and on working their back division sent winger Ramesh Fernando by the corner flag.
The try was converted very well by Maliksha Perera from the touch line to take the lead 21-17.
With the game going either way with CH having more possession it was Havelocks who scored next through a try by Janidu Fernando off a line out which marked his second try.
That try was unconverted but gave Havies a slender lead 22-21 in the second half.
Havelocks scored again in the 73rd minute through Jayathi Rajaratne who also scored his second try that went unconverted.
This try gave them a lead of six points over CH that stayed that way till full time. The first half saw both sides play well according to their ability. The ball switched hands several times and CH were dangerous with some individual brilliance.
Udesh Madushanka the CH flanker was threatening with possession and he initiated their second try with a penetrative run before passing out to Janidu Fernando to score near the post.
The scoring in the first half was started by Havelocks when they scored a try by leading try scorer Jayathu Rajaratne who cut in off a move to score under the post.
Sandesh Jayawickrema put over the conversion to lead 7-nil.
CH scored next in the 27th minute when they won a line out and their number eight Gimhana Silva barged over the line for Maliksha Perera to convert making it 7-7.
CH stepped up on their attacking moves and in the 32nd minute scored a try by Anuk Fernando that was initiated by Madushanka as Maliksha Perera converted making it 14-7.
Havelocks once again stepped up in their attack and forced a line out inside the 22 mark. They won the line out and flanker Janidu Fernando scored the try. Sandesh Jayawickrema converted and equalized 14-all.
Closing in on half time, Havelocks earned a penalty and Sandesh Jayawickrema converted to give them the lead 17-14 at half time.
Ishanka Abeykoon refereed.
