Havelock’s Sports Club inflicted the second consecutive loss to CR & FC in a scrappy game by 10 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) to 6 (2 penalties) in their Dialog ‘A’ Division Inter-club first round rugby fixture played at Havelock Park yesterday.
The winners led 7-3 at half time..
The game lost its momentum from the very first minute due to soggy conditions due to the heavy rain that affected the game throughout the entire match. Both teams produced a half-hearted attempt most of the time and especially CR & FC were guilty of dropping the ball at crucial stages due to wet ball which was difficult to handle.
The Red shirts had abundance of possesion throughout the entire match than their opponents but lacked game plan and could not make much headway. CR opened scoring in the 21st minute when their full back Reeza Mubarak slotted in a superb 40 metre penalty under wet condition and they went into a 3-nil lead.
Within six minutes Havelocks grabbed the lead when their hardy hooker Prasath Madusanka broke off from a rolling maul and touched down for a try mid left. Fly half Dulaj Perera made a fine conversion for Havies to lead 7-3 which was the score at half time.
After the turn around in the 45th minute of play Havies went further ahead 10-3 through a superb 35 metre penalty fired across by Dulaj Perera.
CR reduced the gap with a 30 metre penalty once again put over by Mubarak in the 65th minute and cut the lead down to 10-6. Both teams tried their best to score after having plenty of chances of breaching the line, but their moves lacked the finishing touches,
Referee: Aruna Rankothge