Bouncing back from last week’s defeat, Havelock Sports Club comprehensively beat CH & FC 27-13 at Racecourse, handing the hosts their third consecutive defeat of the 2019/ 20 Dialog Rugby League season.
The home team rung the changes making 5 in all as the visitors changed their wingers as both teams seeked to bounce back from defeats in their previous week.
Havelock Sports Clubs kick off proceedings on a hot, humid evening at Racecourse.
The home side were pushed and pulled in the opening exchangers as the visitors got off to a decent start thanks to a penalty nudged over by fullback Prince Chamara. (CH 00-03 HSC)
The visitors took their score in to double figures as Sajith Saranga was sin binned for a high shot on Keshan Kavinda. The Pinks knocked over the resulting penalty into touch and three phases later saw Charana Chamikara bring about a trademark run bouncing off would-be tacklers to go over beside the upright.
Prince Chamara made no mistake from the tee, adding the extras as the visitors extended their lead, making the 14-man home team pay for their indiscipline. (CH 00-10 HSC)
Sri Lanka under 19 three-quarter coach, returning from a successful tour, notched over a penalty off the tee as the home side managed their only point off the boot of Rohitha Rajapakse as the pink wall of defence was not breached during the whole of the first half. (CH 03-10 HSC)
The only points failed to spur on the home team as the visitors pilled pressure on and managed their second try of the game with half hour on the clock.
The Pink’s made something out of nothing as a lose lineout throw from the home team was pounced upon and worked wide to see Randy Silva run around a jetlagged Rohitha to score the visitors second of the game.
Fullback Chamara failed with the extras, however, the home team had a mountain to climb if they were to get back into the game. (CH 03-15 HSC)
On the cusp of half time, visiting skipper Mithun Hapugoda saw yellow for a tackle without arms as CH were left with plenty to ponder at leamons.
Half Time: CH & FC 03 (1P) train Havelock Sports Club 15 (2T 1C 1P)
CH & FC got off to the best possible start to the second half as winger Harsha Maduranga scored in the far corner to breathe life into the game and give the visitors momentum going into the second 40.
Captain Rajapakshe failed with the extras as it became a 7-point game with nearly half hour left. (CH 08-15 HSC)
The hosts made a hash of the resulting restart, gifting the visitors their third try of the game. Havelocks Sports Club spun the ball wide off the fumbled restrt by the hosts, finding Prince Chamara as he stepped the onrushing defender to score and extend their lead.
Chamara failed to convert his own try, however, the visitors continued to hold a firm grip on the contest. (CH 08-20 HSC)
Both sides wrung the changers as fresh legs injected pace to the game even though the visitors continued to dominate while the hosts continued to press hard in search of points.
Their press finally yielded points as Nishon Perera playing on the wing went over for the home team as the two teams were separated by a single converted try as Arshad Jamaldeen failed to add the extras from a tricky touch line conversion. (CH 13-20 HSC)
Sathya Ranathunga was the culprit this time around to see yellow for a charge through his opponent’s lineout as CH were reduced to 14-men for remainder of the game.
The visitors made maximum use of the extra man, as Azmir Fajudeen crashed over the tail of the maul to score the all-important 4th try, securing the visitors bonus point in the game.
Prince Chamara added the extras as CH & FC’s woes continued as their win-less run continues.
Full Time: CH & FC 13 (2T 1P) lost to Havelock Sports Club 27 (4T 2C 1P)
- ThePapare.com Player of the match: Lasindu Karunathilake (HSC)
Points Breakdown:
CH & FC: Harsha Maduranga 1T, Nishon Perera 1T, Rohitha Rajapakse 1P
Havelock Sports Club: Prince Chamara 1T 2C 1P, Charana Chamikara 1T, Randy Silva 1T, Azmir Fajudeen 1T
Cautions:
Yellow Cards – Sajith Saranga, Sathya Ranathunga (CH), Mithun Hapugoda (HSC)
