Red Shirts devoured in their own den
View(s):A super fit Havies side, playing with a lot of fire and spirit, bombarded the CR in their own den and came away with a thoroughly deserved 34 points (4 goals, 2 penalties) to 18 (3 tries, 1 penalty) win at Longden Place. As happens when two quality teams meet, the rugby was of quite a high order. The wet conditions underfoot probably meant that open play will be at a premium.
Havelocks made their mark as a title favourite with a resounding win over CR - Pic by Ranjith Perera
CR opened proceedings in the fifth minute, when Havies link man Rahul de Silva fumbled at the base of the scrum. Quick-thinking Kavindu de Costa was on him in a flash to pick up and blaze along the right touchline to score an unconverted try.
CR’s lead was short-lived. Four minutes later, a neat blind-side move saw Rimzi Jamaldeen score, and convert (7-5). A Prince Chamara penalty put the home team in front once more.
Flyhalf Niroshan Fernando widened the gap when he collected fifteen yards away and went through what was left of a blinking CR defence. Jamaldeen was spot on with this conversion as well as with the ensuing penalty (17-8). This was the score at lemons.
Dhanushka Ranjan, whose opportunities were rather limited, collected early in the second half, slipped a couple of tackles and side-stepped his way to the left corner flag. Jamaldeen obliged once more. (24-8)
CR was lethargic by now and Havies were playing with the scent of victory in their nostrils. Rahul de Silva scored next when he picked up from a scrum and went over. This, too, was converted by Jamaldeen whose place kicking was faultless. (31-8) One thought that the CR had shot their bolt. Suddenly they came back into the game, and played with a lot of determination despite the yawning gap in points and the ticking seconds.
Flanker Sasanka Ariyaratne fought his way over the line to make it 31-13. Kanchana Ramanayake’s kick was astray.
Jamaldeen’s next penalty made it impossible for CR to script a come-back. However, they had a parting shot – an unconverted try just before Referee Aruna Rankothge’s long whistle.
The Havies who stuttered a bit in their first game, gave a much more polished and convincing display. CR’s misfortunes started on the eve of the match when Tarinda Ratwatte went down with Dengue.