Havelock Sports Club maintained their second-place position in the Super Round Cup segment of the SLR Inter-club Rugby Tournament, securing a 40 (six tries, 5 conversions) to 22 (four tries, 1 conversion) win over Air Force Sports Club at Havelock Park yesterday.
Havies led 19-17 at ‘lemons’.
The match began with Air Force drawing first blood as Manuka Perera touched down for a try, followed by a successful conversion from Gayantha Iddamalgoda. This gave the visitors an early 7-0 lead.
Havelocks responded in the 18th minute when Rifan Mohomad scored an unconverted try, bringing the score to 7-5 in favor of Air Force.
In the 23rd minute, Havelock SC’s Udara Lakshan crossed the line for a well-executed try. With Samuel Maduwantha adding the extra points, the Park Club took a 12-7 lead.
Air Force quickly replied, as Pramod Padmashanka scored an unconverted try to level the game at 12-12 in the 27th minute. In the 34th minute, Air Force regained the lead when hooker Chamika Kaushan touched down for an excellent try, although the conversion was missed, Airmen led 17-12.
However, Havelocks’ star winger Jayathu Rajaratne scored a remarkable try in the far-right corner and with Maduwantha’s successful conversion, Havelocks led 19-17 as the first half came to a close.
After the break, Air Force regained the lead when Sandun Mandiv scored an unconverted try in the 50th minute, putting them ahead 22-19.
But Havelocks responded strongly. In the 56th minute, after a controlled maul by former captain Azmir Fajudeen, Sandesh Jayawickrama touched down for the Park Club’s fourth try. Maduwantha’s conversion put Havelocks back in front at 26-22.
Just two minutes later, Rajaratne scored his second try of the match, again on the right wing. With Maduwantha’s conversion, Havelocks increased their lead to 33-22.
In the final minute, Charana Sendanayake sealed the victory with a try on the left corner and Maduwantha’s conversion took the score to 40-22 at full time.
With this comprehensive victory, Havelocks solidified their second-place standing with 49 points in the Cup segment table, just behind Kandy Sports Club, who lead with 53 points. Defending champions CR and FC are in third place with 42 points.
Referee: Raveen Alexander
