Havelocks Sports Club delivered a master-class in attacking rugby, stunning defending champions CR and FC by 53 points to 42 in a high-octane inter club League rugby clash at Havelock Park last week.
The Rajaratne siblings, Chethana and Jayathu, stole the show with an extreme rarity, a hat-trick of tries each, as the Park Club stormed to the top of the table at the end of the eighth week.
The Red Shirts, previously unbeaten, were caught off guard from the kickoff as Havies’ wingers Chethana and Jayathu Jayaratne crossed the whitewash within the first five minutes, with fullback Samuel Maduwantha converting both to establish a rapid 14-0 lead.
Chethana soon added his second, making it 19-0 before CR and FC found their footing.
A yellow card for winger Aaron Perera in the 19th minute further dented CR’s resistance and Havies capitalized ruthlessly.
Chethana completed his hat-trick in the 21st minute, before Jayathu followed suit five minutes later, extending the lead to a commanding 31-3. The Red Shirts responded with tries from flanker Adeesha Weeratunga and prop forward Tineth Gamage, reducing the halftime deficit to 31-13.
Jayathu continued his rampage after the break, completing his hat-trick in the 41st minute to push the lead to 38-13. But CR and FC, showing the resilience of champions, clawed back with tries from fly half Thenuka Nanayakkara and centre Randy Silva closing the gap to 38-27.
Havies however refused to let the momentum slip as former St. Joseph’s College second row Sachinthana Waidyanatha’s try and a long-range Maduwantha penalty extended their cushion to 46-27.
Though CR’s skipper and winger Gemunu Chethiya and winger Muthunayake added late tries, Chethana’s fourth try sealed the deal, propelling Havelocks past the 50-point mark.
CR’s downfall was rooted in missed conversions and a shaky first-half defence. The usually reliable, Mursheed Doray faltered with his kicking, missing crucial points that could have tightened the contest. The Red Shirts fought until the final whistle, but Havies’ early onslaught proved insurmountable.
Havelocks’ electrifying victory not only handed CR and FC their first defeat of the season but also signalled a power shift in the league.
The Park Club’s backline brilliance, spearheaded by the Rajaratne brothers, has made them serious title contenders. With just a few weeks remaining, the battle for supremacy is heating up and the stunning upset of CR has set the stage for a thrilling climax to the league.
Pictures by Dushmantha Mayadunne
