Havelock Sports Club dismantle Air Force 49 (7T 2P 4C) – 8 (1T 1P) under lights at the Park in the season opener of the Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023/24.
Havelocks got off to the best possible start with a try through former DS Skipper Dinupa Senevirathna.
The Home side counter attacked in potent fashion as an aimless kick from Air Force Half back Kaveesha Kaluarchchi was punished by finishing off with a try for the Pink Army. Returning Fullback Samuel Maduwantha failed to add the extras from out wide. (Havies 05-00 AF)
Air Force got off the mark for the season through the boot of experienced Gayantha Iddamalgoda.
The mighty Havelocks Maul was the next weapon they reverted to for their next try. This time it was Skipper Azmir Fajudeen was the beneficery as the Hooker crashed over from close range to extend the Hosts lead.
Havelocks second try was responded to straight away with a try of their own through Air Force as the Airman scored through Center Promod Pathmasanka. The Second Five-Eighth ran an unstoppable short line to crash over, making it a two point game as Iddamalgoda failed with the conversion in surprising fashion. (Haveis 10-08 AF)
On the stroke of halftime, Samuel Maduwantha slotted over his first kick off the tee on his return as the former Antonian got off the mark for the season.
Half time: Havelock Sports Club 13 (2T 1P) lead Air Force Sports Club 08 (1T 1P)
Rampant Havelocks were on a role in the second half, in both attack and defense as they scored five further tries, conceding none.
Samuel Maduwantha added his second penalty of the evening as Air Force were penalized for ill-discipline at the breakdown.
Player of the match Musheen Faleel set up Dinupa Senevirathne twice as the Senanayakian crossed over for his hat trick.
In comical fashion, Chanaka Chandimal scored, following up and collecting a kick of his own off the grateful grasp of Air Forward as he brought his football boots, juggling the ball to hand to score.
Jayathu Rajarathne made a seamless transition into Club Rugby, scoring on debut as he picked the pocket of Air Force veteran Iddamalgoda. His forward pass was intercepted as Rajarathne strolled home. (Haveis 42-08 AF)
Their seventh try of the night came through replacement backrower Udara Lakshan. The big man found himself at the tail of a maul to put Havelock in Seventh Heaven.
Janith Chandimal, coming on for Maduwantha, slotted over 4 conversions to add to Havelocks’ points tally.
Havelocks Sports Club would be kicking themselves for missing the 50 point mark, however, an all round performance meant they secured the game in a rampant first half.
Full time: Havelock Sports Club 49 (7T 2P 4C) Air Force Sports Club 08 (1T 1P)
Blacknight Player of the Match: Musheen Faleel
Points Breakdown:
- Havelock Sports Club: Dinupa Senevirathna 3T, Azmir Fajudeen 1T, Chanaka Chandimal 1T, Udara Lakshan 1T, Jayathu Rajarathne 1T, Samuel Maduwantha 2P, Janith Chandimal 4C
- Air Force: Promod Pathmasanka 1T, Gayantha Iddamalgoda 1P,
 – 8 (1T 1P) under lights at the Park in the season opener of the Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023/24. ){kind=link}