Havelocks and Police had to do what two other rugby clubs Kandy SC and CR and FC could not do at this year’s Clifford Cup. With Kandy SC withdrawing as usual over a venue dispute and CR knocked out of the running in the semi finals, Havelocks and Police brought in some form of energy and excitement as they reached the final.
For Police Sports Club entering the Clifford Cup final was the best thing that could have happened to them after many years of merely making up the numbers in domestic rugby tournaments and finally having something to brag about.
The Police outfit came well prepared for their semi final against the defending League champs CR and FC and played true to their build-up and motivation producing their best match of the season.
They played to a set plan and pattern and ended up as worthy finalists winning by 40 points to CR’s 16 which marked a below par show by the Red Shirts.
Perhaps some of CR’s die hard supporters would have been sympathetic towards the Longden Place Club which would have expended everything they had in their previous match against Kandy SC which was the ultimate decider of the League and their players in need of a break from a dramatically demanding and strenuous League season that they came through unbeaten in 10 matches.
Hardy CH forward Dushmantha Priyadharshana unleashes a hand-off on Havelocks defender Senal Silva
Havelocks on the other hand played to deserve a place in the final and a date with Police SC after beating a determined CH and FC team 37-27 in a semi final clash. Had Havelocks played the brand of rugby they played in the Clifford Cup semi final in the League, they could have been right up the ladder.
They ran the ball at every given opportunity and that paid off dearly to make them worthy Clifford Cup finalists.
