Havelocks SC beat Navy SC 36 points to 28 in their final fixture of the Dialog Rugby League today and managed to secure 2nd spot after another good season.
The Havies lost their chance at glory last week when they were beaten by champions Kandy SC at Havelock park. However they had to secure their 2nd spot this week against Navy and they did that in style.
The hosts started off the match with a stunning try by Stephan Gregory. Quick tap taken by Richi Dharmapala after the Havies conceded a penalty inside their half saw Richi breaking through few meters and offloading to Gregory who stormed through the defenders to go over. Thilina Weerasinghe added the extras. (Navy SC 7 – Havelock SC 0)
Havies looked rusty in the first half but they slowly started hitting their straps as the game progressed. They equaled scores in the 21st minute through a converted try by Hirantha Perera. They used their forwards to push deep inside Navy half and worked their way over the try line. (Navy SC 7 – Havelock SC 7)
They had a good ten minute period in the first half where they took the lead for the first time in the match. Nishon Perera went over the line for the first time in the match after a comedy of errors by both teams. Sudam Sooriyarachchu broke through and his offload went to the hands of a Navy player but it was once again stolen by Nishon who went over. (Navy SC 7 – Havelock SC 12)
Then the sailors got into the act and forced a few unforced errors from the Havies boys. Weerasinghe pounced on the chances and got two penalties spot on in a space of 7 minutes to draw back the deficit. But a counter attacking try from Kevin Dixon in the 40th minute saw the visitors once again extend their lead going into the break.
Half time: Navy SC 13 – Havelock SC 17
Once again Navy came out all guns blazing after the break but they were let down by some silly play. Newanka Prasad bulldozed his way over the line and in trying to reach the post he accidentally stepped his foot outside the dead line which canceled the try for Navy. But a few moments later they managed to score through an unconverted try by Thilina Weerasinghe to take back the lead. (Navy SC 18 – Havelock SC 17)
Havies were feeling the heat and it went from bad to worse when Niroshan Fernando was sin binned. Thilina immediately extended their lead with another successful penalty (Navy SC 21 – Havelock SC 17)
After the penalty the home team had a horrible ten minutes where they conceded two tries and a yellow card. Both tries came from Nishon Perera who completed a hatrick in the match and off the back of some lackluster rugby played by the home side. After conceding both tries, Chamith Madushanka was given a yellow card which made matters worse for Navy. (Navy SC 21 – Havelock SC 29)
Navy once again came back into the match with an converted try by Gayan Wickramarathne. Kasun De Silva broke through from the 40m and just offloaded to Dayan who jumped over the line. Chanaka Chandimal added the extras to bring the deficit down to 1 point. (Navy SC 28 – Havelock 29)
The game was very much in the balance until the 79th minute when Senal De Silva scored the winning try for the Havies. Scorecard does not explain how close it was. Both teams had their ups and downs but it was Havies who came on top to finish the league on a high.
Full Time: Navy SC 28 – Havelock SC 36)
ThePapapare.com’s Player of the match: Dushmantha Priyadarshana (Havelock SC)
Point Scorers for Havelock SC:
Nishon Perera 3T, Hirantha Perera 1T 3C, Kevin Dixon 1T, Senal De Silva 1TPoint Scorers for Navy SC:
Thilina Weerasinghe 1T 3P 1C, Stephan Gregory 1T, Gayan Wickramarathne 1T, Chanaka Chandimal 1C
