Havelock Sports Club notched up their first win in the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 after an impressive second half display, proving no match for Siri Lions in their week two clash at Havelock Park (22nd November 2025) .
It was a stop-start affair from the outset, with ill-discipline forcing the home team onto the backfoot in the opening exchanges. Things went from bad to worse for them when expat Ihaea Edwards was sent to the naughty chair for a no arms tackle in just the 4th minute.
After not converting their early momentum into points, Siri Lions capitalised on the numbers advantage, when second rower Denuwan Silva touched down in the 12th minute after the visitors worked through the phases off the back of a 10 metre scrum. (HSC 00-05 SLSC)
The home team hit back straight away, chasing their kickoff well to draw a penalty which they put into touch, before Shehan Silva dotted down after the forwards formed the driving maul off the resulting lineout. Maduwantha began his flawless day off the tee (HSC 07-05 SLSC)
After failing to cross the whitewash despite plenty of penalties, Siri Lions went for points in the 20th minute to keep the scoreboard ticking, and Aaron Perera made no mistakes from right under the posts to gain back the lead for the visitors. (HSC 07-08 SLSC)
Winger Jayathu Rajarathne made a break down the right flank in the 34th minute, which drew in the Siri Lions defence. Samuel Maduwantha launched an inch perfect cross field kick to Yehan Bulathsinghalage to send the visitors defensive line scrambling, the ball was offloaded to Janindu Wijerathne, who dotted down for the try of the game after a flash of individual brilliance and ensured that the hosts went into lemons with their noses in front despite a scrappy performance. (HSC 14-08 SLSC)
Half Time: Havelock Sports Club 14 (2T,2C) – Siri Lions Sports Club 08 (1T,1P)
Havelock SC swung the pendulum in their direction in the second half. And after being denied on a couple of occasions, Charana Sendanayake barged through in the 55th minute after a break from Visesio Junior brought them to within 5 metres of the whitewash . (HSC 21-08 SLSC)
After wrestling back possession, territory, and some momentum, nothing seemed to be clicking in attack for Siri Lions, which forced Nadun Gunasekara to attempt a drop goal from 40 metres out to once again reduce the deficit for the visitors. (HSC 21-11 SLSC)
The forwards of Havelock SC then flexed their muscles in the 67th minute, when No. 08 Chathura Dilshan dived over to secure the bonus point after the men in pink shoved their way towards the try line off a 5 metre scrum . (HSC 28-11 SLSC)
The backline then sent the ball neatly through the hands to unleash Jayathu Rajarathne ,who then ran round the last defender to touch down in the corner for the 5th try in the 71st minute. (HSC 35-11 SLSC)
The Havies three-quarters continued to play with freedom as Sudesh Jayawickrama held the pass for just long enough for Rajarathne to go right through the gap for his second 5 minutes later to add the icing on the cake for the home side. Maduwantha completed his perfect day with the boot with another inch perfect conversion. (HSC 42-11 SLSC)
While they were able to secure all six points on offer today, Havelock SC will need to sharpen up and fix their sluggish starts ahead of tougher fixtures, while Siri Lions will need to be more clinical with their chances as they continue their pursuit for their first points in the 2025/26 Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League.
Havies will welcome Army SC to the park next week, while Siri Lions face an uphill battle as they take on the defending champions Kandy Sports Club.
Samuel Maduwantha was adjudged Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match for his intelligent kicking from open play, and being 100% off the tee.
Full Time: Havelock Sports Club 42 (6T,6C) – Siri Lions Sports Club 11 (1T,1P,1DG)
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Samuel Maduwantha (HSC)
Points Breakdown
Havelock Sports Club – 42
Samuel Maduwantha – 6C, Jayathu Rajarathne- 2T, Shehan Silva- 1T, Janindu Wijerathne-1T, Charana Sedanayake-1T, Chathura Dilshan- 1T
Sri Lions Sports Club -11Denuwan Silva- 1T, Aaron Perera- 1P, Nadun Gunasekara- 1DG
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