Havelocks propelled by former Peterite captain cum fly-half Sandesh Jayawickrema’s injury time penalty, earned them a 20 points (3 tries, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) to 17 (2 tries, 2 conversion, 1 penalty) win over a fighting CH and FC outfit in their Dialog ‘A’ Division League Rugby tournament first round match played at Havelock Park yesterday,
It was the Havies three-quarters who paved the way for this victory while their ‘eight’ also gave a good display to outplay their famed counterparts in the loose.
CH and FC were let down in the first half by their forwards and the three-quarters who delayed their passes which saw them being nailed time and again by their opposite numbers and also knocked-on at crucial moments which resulted in their speedy three-quarters being kept in cold storage but on the few occasions they got possession they made some threatening runs before they were brought down in the nick of time by a desperate Havies defence.
The Havelocks outfit went into halftime with a secured lead of 17-3 with tries coming from winger Asitha Punchihewa, centre Theekshana Dasanayake and full-back Mithun Hapugoda with one try converted by fly half Sandesh Jayawickrema. .
Meanwhile for the CH and FC the tries were scored by prop forward Ganuka Dissanayake and centre Janindu Dilshan while winger Thenuka Dissanayake converted both tries and put over the solitary penalty.
In the 83rd minute and in injury time of the game Havelocks received a penalty and fly-half and match hero Sandesh Jayawickrema slotted in the penalty for them to end the contest worthy winners by 20 points to 17.
Referee: Aaqil Jamaldeen