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Havelocks stun CH and FC
Havelocks 19, CH & FC 14
By Mahangu Weerasinghe
The Havelocks Sports Club caused tremors in rugby circles yesterday when they stunned favourites CH & FC by 19 points ( 2 tries, a drop goal and 2 penalties ) to 14 points ( 2 goals) at Maitland Crescent in their Caltex League Rugby encounter. Going in as underdogs, the Havelocks SC turned the tables on their rivals when they dominated the first half, completely shutting out all advances of the home team. CH & FC paid dearly for their early complacency when they found themselves trailing 0 - 10 at half time. The two tries were scored by Fijian centre Billie Wilson.

CH & FC played with more urgency in the second half, with centre "Jimmy" Bolokoro making several efforts to get through the Havelock defences. Even with little support from his teammates, Bolokoro managed to score the first CH & FC try early on in the half. Roy Nishantha converted the try, and the home team trailed only by three. The visitors however promptly increased their lead when centre Wasim Thajudeen scored off a drop goal.

With the Havelocks striving hard to hold on to their lead, it was once again CH centre Jimmy Bolokoro who capitalized by mounting pressure. The centre broke through the distracted Havelock line to run down his second try of the game. The conversion by Roy Nishantha was good, and the home team took the lead for the first time in the game. Instead of pressurizing the Havelocks further however, the CH & FC team made mistake after mistake, and in the process allowed the visitors to regroup for a final attack. Playing a wholly better game after recovering from a slight bout of anxiety, the Havelocks once again managed to increase their lead to five, courtesy of two penalties by fullback Saliya Kumara.

`The Havelock's, who played positive rugby from kick-off to full time, undoubtedly caught the stronger CH & FC team by surprise. The Maitland Crescent side was on the whole disorganised, and in particular did not use its line to full advantage. The Havelocks on the other hand did not concede for a moment, and several potential tries were stopped just short of the line by their unrelenting defence. Although CH & FC fought back bravely in the dying moments of the match, the final score came to rest at 19 - 14, resulting in a well deserved win for the Havelocks SC.
Referee: D.Nimal

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