Havelock SC finished third in the Dialog rugby league 2013/14 season and also became the runners up in the Clifford cup knock out trophy. The men in pink are playing in their 100th year since establishment and are geared up with some fresh local talents and good bunch of foreigners despite main power forwards moving to Navy SC.
A bit of old
Founded in 1915 Havelock Sports Club (Havies) has a proud history behind them. The glory days of Havies were in 1950’s – 1980’s. They have won the league 5 times and the Clifford cup six times. The most incredible year for them was in 1978 when they became the triple champs. They have made many stalwarts, to name a few are Ian Labroy first Clifford cup winning captain, Hisham Abdeen who captained the national 7’s team to win the bowl in Hong Kong 7’s way back in 1984, E. Mathayasz, Lal Silva, Nilam Saleem, Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Omar Sherrif, Rajiv Ganapathy, Leonard de Silva etc
Lately
Havies became the champions in 2012 with their new president Asanga Seneviratne and captain Henry Terrance after a long lapse of good performance in the league. Last year although they could not defend the title they played remarkably well under the coaching guidance of Tongan international Paula Kaho.
They have faced a set-back this season with the Havies power pack forwards Henry Terrence, Sharo Fernando, Hasitha Perera and Chamara Dabare who represented the Tuskers leaving to join the Sailors. Nevertheless, captain Sudarshana Muthuthnatri (Muthu), said exclusively to ThePapare.com “It is hard to replace their talents but we are confident with the current squad where experience and young talents blend in”
The Driving Force
Captain Muthu has been outstanding last year and continued his brilliance with strength in defending and attacking game in the international 7’s. Muthu’s tackle rate and turnovers in the rucks has been outstanding. He was also praised by the current coach Glen Christini. Sandun Herath the dashing winger who was the highest try scorer last season is also fit and has recovered from his ankle injury which undoubtedly helps the Havies try scoring.
The experienced and skillful Mohamed Sheriff will once again play a vital role in the back division. Alongside him the nippy half back/wing Mithun Hapugoda who led the Tuskers for Beijing 7’s few weeks ago is in superb form with his stepping and devastating speed.
Shehan Lema Pathirana (flanker / lock) is also in a fine form as he did not miss a single Asian 7’s series tour along with one of the most competent centre three quarter in the country, Danushka Ranjan.
New Blood
Dulaj Perera who started off the bench last season has improved vastly in his playing style. He also made his debut for the Tuskers tour to China few weeks ago and made a 75m solo try against Japan in the third place play-off. Dulaj looks the first choice in the pivotal position of No 10 over another skillful player Hirantha Perera. Youngest of Costa brother’s Kavindu De Costa is also set to play for Havies after performing exceptionally well in the recent past.
The man who led the Isipathana College for a triple crown this year Senal Deelaka Silva is ready to taste the club rugby for the first time. Silva is a talented Flanker and this is a great opportunity for him to learn his skills from his captain Muthu who is probably one of the best flankers in the island. Alongside him the prop duo Ganuka Dissanayaka and Ashan Darling who were the catalyst in the front row for the green machine have hurdled next door as well.
Foreign Ammo
Havies have tied up with four islanders who are back from the ITM cup in New Zealand. Two big No.#8 Josh Kaifa and Samiu Vahafolau who can play in few other positions too will add the spark in the team. Siaosi ‘Iongi’, and Vili Tahitua are the two centers who are in a good form and ready to debut on Lankan soil.
Coaching Contingent
Glen Christini from New Zealand is the man in charge this year; Glen has great experience working with the Brumbies and some other clubs in Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, he took over the coaching role with the Tuskers for the final leg of Asian 7’s series in Beijing few weeks ago.
Former Havelock’s captain Rajive Perera who knows the local players in depth is assisting Glen in coaching and management.
What They Had To Say
Captain Muthuthantri expressed his views exclusively to ThePapare.com saying that “we want to win both the league and the knock out as this is the 100th year for the Havies, we have youth and experience mixed in the team including some school leavers and a good set of foreigners who played in the super 14 and the ITM cup in New Zealand”.
Well, expectations of the club and the players are very high, I am glad to see some young talents coming out from junior national team and we have experience players also in the side. There were seven players from Havelock’s who toured for Beijing 7’s and I am delighted to have them along in this exciting team. We want to finish high this season” said by the coach Glen Christini.
Troops
Props – Asanka Gomes, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Pavith Yasantha, Ashan Darling, Jason Melder, Ganuka Dissanayaka, Listan Flatney,
Hookers – Anuranga Walpola,
Lock – Pasindu Yasantha, Ranga Perera, Shehan Dias, Asela Dissanayake, Ashan Karathelis
Flankers – Sudarshana Muthuthantri, Shehan Pathirana, Dhiran Warnakulasuriya, Senal Deelaka
No 8 – Josh Kaifa, Samiu Vahafolau
Scrum Half – Rizwan Meedin, Kavinda De Costa,
Fly Half – Dulaj Perera, Hirantha Perera
Centers – Vili Tahitua, Danushka Ranjan, Siaosi ‘Iongi’, Thusitha Dushan,
Wing – Sandun Herath, Rehan Theyagarajah, Banuka Peiris,
Full Back – Sheriff Mohamed, Mithun Hapugoda
