Havelocks Sports Club notched up their fourth consecutive victory in the Dialog Rugby League 2016/17 against minnows CH&FC earlier this evening. The full time score read 48-05
Coach Ronny Ibrahim had decided to rest Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Sharo Fernando and Ashan Darling for the park club while Mithun Hapugoda missed out as he was suspended for a block tackle in the previous game. Utility back Dulaj Perera moved into the full back position in Hapugoda’s absence while Niroshan Fernando took on Fly half duties.
With the skies opening up soon after the kick-off, the game was played under soggy underfoot conditions but the boys from the Park Club didn’t waste any time as they notched up their first try in the second minute of the game. After turning over the ball from the kickoff Niroshan Fernando saw numbers on the outside for Havies and put in a flat kick which was collected by Dulaj and he sent out a silky offload to Kevin Dixon who side-stepped the lone CH&FC defender to score the first try for Havies. Dulaj, who has been impressive with his kicking this season, added the extras to give the hosts a 07-00 lead.
Photos: Havelock SC v CH & FC – Dialog Rugby League 2016/17
Photos of the Havelock SC v CH & FC – Dialog Rugby League 2016/17
Although they conceded a try just minutes into the game, CH& FC showed great patience with Mohomad Rizwan, at half back, marshaling his forwards. After 6-7 phases where the CH forwards kept the ball close to fringes, Rizwan spotted an opening on the short side and sent it out to the open side flanker Kasun Srinath who covered 20m before touching down for the Gymkhana Club’s solitary try of the game. Janith Chandimal missed the conversation and the scores read 07-05 in favour of Havelocks.
Dulaj Perera, who is a live wire in this Havelocks outfit, made a dashing run dummying and stepping several CH defenders to touch down for the Park Club as they extended their lead. Dulaj could not covert his own try and Havelocks led 12-05
Havies hoooker Prasath Madhushanka who has developed an uncanny tendency to cross the white line over took Dhanushka Ranjan as the highest try scorer, scoring twice in quick succession. Last year’s highest try scorer Madhushanka brilliantly gets himself in the right place at the right time and has scored 5 tries already this season. Vimukthi Rahula showcased his speed despite the difficult underfoot conditions to get on the score board. Dulaj was on target with 02 out of 03 conversions as Havies led 31-05 going into half time.
Half time – Havelocks 31-05 CH&FC
CH&FC kick started the second half and were given a rude shock when Shenal Dias ran through their defense after collecting the ball and offloaded it to Senal Deelaka who touched down for the Park Club straight of the kickoff. Dulaj missed a difficult conversion as Havies notched up 36 to CH’s 05.
The Havies forwards decided from then on to keep the ball close to them and built phases around the breakdown and Liston Flatney cleverly touched down against the front cushion of the goal post to score the Park Club’s 7th try of the evening. Dulaj was on target with the under-the-post conversion. (Havelocks 43-05 CH&FC).
Vimukthi Rahula then touched down for his second try close to the corner flag, as a result of a swift move by the Havelocks three’s for the final try of the game. Dulaj was not successful with the conversion.
Although the score line suggests a comfortable win for the Park Club, Coach Ibrahim is going to take note of the unforced errors committed by the pink shirts. Havies lost the ball forward 14 times during the game. Although the wet conditions meant that there would be plenty of handling errors, losing the ball forward 14 times while CH only had 6 knock on’s is not a great stat. This is partly due to the fact that Havies tried playing wide despite the difficult conditions for passing while CH&FC kept the ball close whenever they had possession.
Full Time Score – Havelocks 48 – 05 CH&FC
ThePapare.com’s Player of the Match: Dulaj Perera (Havelocks SC)
Score breakdown
Havelocks SC – 48
Kevin Dixon – 1 Try
Dulaj Perera – 1 Try 4 Conversions
Vimukthi Rahula – 02 Tries
Prasath Madhusanka – 02Tries
Senal Deelaka – 01 Try
Liston Flatny – 01 TryCH & FC – 05
Kasun Srinath – 1 Try
