Havelock Sports Club secured a crucial victory in the opening match of the Cup Segment, overcoming table-toppers CR & FC 28 – 14 in a high-intensity Week 1 Super Round clash of the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26, at Havelock Park. The win opened up the Cup Segment early, as the Park Club delivered a statement performance to derail the league leaders.
It was the visitors who struck first after winning a scrum penalty and kicking to the corner. CR & FC’s rolling maul marched deep into Havelock territory before the forwards took charge with a series of pick-and-drives, allowing Niroshan Perera to power over. Mursheed Zubair added the conversion to give CR an early lead. (Havelocks 00 – 07 CR)
>>Havies overcome stubborn Cops to progress to Cup Segment
Havelocks’ task became harder soon after when Udesh Madushanka was shown a yellow card for an intentional knock-on. CR made full use of the numerical advantage, again opting for the corner. Their rolling maul proved unstoppable, with Enesi Waqanisau grounding the ball at the back of the drive. Chathura Senevirathne landed a fine conversion from the touchline to extend the visitors’ advantage. (Havelocks 00 – 14 CR)
Despite conceding twice, the Havelocks dominated possession and territory, earning a string of penalties but failing to convert points when Samuel Maduwantha missed a straightforward attempt at goal. The pressure eventually told as Amituanai Visesio Jr delivered a well-timed pass to Harusha Perera, whose sharp footwork unsettled the defense before releasing scrum-half Mohamed Rifan. Rifan sold a clever dummy to find space and score, with Maduwantha converting to halve the deficit. (Havelocks 07 – 14 CR)
Momentum firmly swung Havelocks’ way as their forwards, led by Skipper Janindu Fernando, patiently built phase after phase. Former captain Abdullah Faiz capped the sustained pressure by beating two defenders to score under the posts, and Maduwantha’s conversion brought the scores level at the break.
>>Clinical CR & FC brush aside Air Force
Half Time: Havelocks SC 14 (2T, 2C) – CR & FC 14 (2T, 2C)
The Havelocks picked up where they left off after the break, capitalising on a string of CR infringements to force their way deep into the 22. From there, the rolling maul brought them within striking distance before the forwards took over with a series of pick-and-drives. Amituanai Visesio (Jr) produced a powerful carry to crash over, and Samuel Maduwantha’s conversion handed the Park Club the lead for the first time. (Havelocks 21 – 14 CR)
Momentum remained firmly with the hosts as CR struggled to rediscover the intensity of the opening quarter. Another driving maul proved too strong to contain, with Skipper Janindu Fernando grounding the ball from the back of the drive. Samuel Maduwantha once again converted from the touchline, stretching the Havelocks’ advantage and underlining their dominance in the second-half exchanges as they clinched the contest in a thrilling opener to the Cup Segment of the Super Round.
>>First Round Concludes with CR on top as Super Round beckons
Full Time: Havelocks SC 28 (4T, 4C) – CR & FC 14 (2T, 2C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Janindu Fernando (Havelocks SC)
Points Breakdown
Havelocks SC 28
Abdulla Faiz 1T, Mohamed Rifan 1T, Amituanai Visesio 1T, Janindu Fernando 1T, Samuel Madhuwantha 4C
CR & FC – 14
Enesi Waqanisau 1T, Niroshan Perera 1T, Chathura Senevirathne 1C, Mursheed Zubair 1C
