The curtain of the Maliban Inter Club Rugby League 2025/26 was raised in some fashion at Havelock Park on the 14th of November, where a last minute try from Navy S.C. leveled the game at the long whistle.
The game was off to a flyer. The very first set piece of the game provided a 4 minute long, 20+ phase try from the Sailors, who took no second invitation in being physical upfront. Isuru Perera scored the opener and Isuru Kongahawatta knocked over the extras. (Navy S,C. 07-00 Havelock S.C.)
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It didn’t take too long for Navy to go over for their second try. Havelocks were made to defend tirelessly early on in the game, but a quick tap followed by a try from the Captain Denuwan Wickramaraachchi, put the Havies effort in vain. Kongahawatta added the 2 points. (Navy S,C. 14-00 Havelock S.C.)
To add to the home team’s woes, Kongahawatta took the challenge on, to kick for the 3 points from a Penalty around 45m out. His strike and accuracy was on point to extend the sailor’s lead. (Navy S,C. 17-00 Havelock S.C.)
Up until the 15th minute mark, Navy had not committed a single error. But with the Havies forwards getting more possession of the ball, it was inevitable that they’d steam roll their way to the line. A couple of maul penalties, opened the door for former skipper Azmir Fajudeen to score off the back of the maul. The conversion attempt from the skipper Sandesh Jayawickrama was no good, as Havelocks broke their duck. (Navy S,C. 17-05 Havelock S.C.)
Shortly after which , Navy Second Row forward Pramuditha Epa was sent to the naughty chair for a high shot.
However that didn’t stop the Navy ship from cruising ahead. After another long passage of play, it was the skipper Denuwan Wickramaarachchi who went over for his second try. Kongahawatta knocked over a sitter of a conversion to restore their lead. (Navy S,C. 24-05 Havelock S.C.)
Havelocks needed to score before lemons. 19 points behind at half time was not at all where they would’ve imagined to be in this game. The try they were yearning for came through Abdullah Faiz who brushed away from a few would-be tacklers. The conversion however from Yehan Bulathsinghalage didn’t hit its mark. (Navy S,C. 24-10 Havelock S.C.)
Then, just before half time, arguably the moment of the match… The Havelocks Flanker Udesh Madushanka was penalized for a without the ball tackle, which also was a tackle that went above the horizontal. The player landed directly on his head, so referee Gihan Yatawara was left with no option but to show a red card to the offender.
Half Time – Navy S.C. 24 (3T, 3C, 1P) lead Havelock S.C. 10 (2T)
14- man Havelocks had a mountain to climb. But they had to take little steps before reaching the top. And so they did…
Not even 5 minutes after the turnaround, Havelocks scored through Jayathu Rajarathne who collected a cross kick from Sandesh Jayawickrama. This time the kick from Jayawickrama was good as Havelocks came within one score of the sailors. (Navy S,C. 24-17 Havelock S.C.)
The game meandered along for a few minutes with the heavens opening up and errors creeping in. But the trusty forwards of Havies were not to be written off. The 7-man pack put in a good shift to get Chathura Dilshan a try beside the uprights. Jayawickrama knocked over the 2 to level the game. (Navy S,C. 24-24 Havelock S.C.)
It was anyone’s game from here. With the Havies bench coming on, it looked like they had the game in the bag. They were gifted two penalties within kicking range, but turned down one opportunity and scoffed the other.
But with 10 minutes to go, a peach of a 50-22 from Mohamed Rifan took Havelocks into their green zone. This set up a good platform for the home team to get the lead for the first time in the game, as Janidu Fernando powered his way over the line. The kick from Jayawickrama was on point as the momentum shifted towards the home team. (Navy S,C. 31-24 Havelock S.C.)
21 unanswered points in the second half from Havelocks got them in prime position to win this game.
But never write off Navy Sports Club. To score their first try, they went over 20+ phases, and to score their last they had to as well with the clock in the red. The entire team rallied together off a set piece line out, and marched close to the try line. After a Havelock infringement they were awarded a penalty. They had to go for glory, they needed the 7 to salvage a draw.
With the light fading, the Navy forwards were adamant, and a strong carry from Pradeep Ranaweera got them that all important try. Now, it was all down to Kongahawatta. His chance to become a hero, and he delivered. He put over the conversion and drew the game.
A game that had everything.
Full Time : Navy S.C. 31 (4T, 4C, 1P) vs Havelock S.C. 31 (5T, 3C)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Isuru Kongahawatta (Navy)
