In-control Havies dump the Cops in style
A Havies player is brought down by Police defender - Pic by Amila Gamage
The Havies ran out seemingly comfortable winners over Police by 46 points (3 goals, 5 tries) to 26 (3 goals, 1 try) in their quarter-final match at the Race Course grounds. At half time, the winners led 24-19.
The Park Club had scored twice through winger Chamikara before the game was ten minutes old. At that point, the Havies chose to play second fiddle, while Police attacked through their heavy forwards.
The Havies were able to subdue their opponents thereafter and take the lead, yet the losers kept coming back and, at one point in the second half, they even led the second ranked side 26-24.
Two years back it was the same venue, the same opponents when the Police put paid to the Havies hopes in the Quarters. Possibly sensing danger, the Havies played with a little more punch and piled on the points. The injured Dulaj Perera was sorely missed as Hirantha Perera was able to put over a mere three conversions out of eight.
The Havies started with a try off a rolling maul. A player broke free and the ball went down the line for Chamikara to touch down. He repeated the dose a few minutes later and Hirantha was able to convert (12-0).
A Police centre broke through and ran ahead. He was held, but off the ensuing scrum, prop Udara Gayan fell over (12-5). Dixon then formed the overlap and passed to Vimukthi who sped ahead, using his long stride, to outpace the defence. Tackled on the line, Nishon Perera was at hand to complete the move. (17-5). 
Police now powered their way into the Havies 22. The latter withstood the barrage for a while, until Absal spotted a tiny gap and squeezed through. Sansoni converted but the Havies led 17-12.
Scrum half Sudham Parinda came up with a dandy try. He shot through the Police defenders on his goal line, ran, kicked ahead and scored. Hirantha put it over for the Havies to lead 24-12. A high ball was dropped like a hot potato. The Police was up there in a flash and Radeesha Seneviratne was able to touch down. Sansoni made it 24-19 to the winners at lemons.
The law enforcers took over the lead when another high ball was dropped. Their forwards then commenced hostilities and Radeesha Seneviratne fell over for his second try. Sansoni put that over (26-24 to the losers). They had stopped playing catch up rugby, but for how long?
Prop Ashan Darling took matters into his hands and fell over the line. Hirantha failed to oblige but the Havies had retaken the lead. Nishon Perera collected the ball in his half and unleashed a scorching run for their next try (34-26).
Dabare swung into action and made a long run. He was held near the line, but Muthuthantri was at hand to take over (39-26). The last score came from lock Sithum Pieris and Hirantha was lucky for the third time.
There was heavy rain at the start, and a less heavy shower towards the end. In consequence passes were spilled and high balls were dropped. One felt that the Havies should have made better use of their outsides who are, after all, second only to Kandy’s famed four.
Police, thus, end their season with just three wins. They deserve better results as they have played far above their number seven ranking.
Referee Irshad Cader.