Navy sink Havelocks
Navy SC recorded a thumping 26-6 win to outrun Havelocks and secure the third position of the Cup Segment of the SLR Nippon Paint Club Rugby League 2023 in their final league game played at Havelock Park yesterday.
Leading the halftime by 14-6, the Sailors scored from a total of four tries and three conversions, ensuring they earn vital bonus points to secure a much needed third place finish, and edge out Havelocks in the final standings. Havelocks, on the other hand, needed a win of any sort, but were totally outplayed by the visitors, who allowed them to score from two penalties at their own cost.
Havelocks were never given the comfort of enjoying the lead at any point by the Sailors, who opened their account by a try from scrumhalf Harsha Maduranga, who touched down after two minutes from the kickoff. Fullback Thilina Weerasinghe added the extra points to help Navy take an early 7-0 lead.
The only phase Havies played to their potential was the second quarter of the first half, during which Navy forward Gayan Anuruddha was shown a yellow card. Flyhalf Sandesh Jayawickrama put over both penalties that came in Havelocks’ favour in the 16th and 20th minutes, which helped the host near in by 7-6.
But that was all they were destined to during the rest of the day as Navy fullback Weerasinghe made a breakthrough to in the 25th minute to touch down. With his own conversion, Navy extended their lead to 14-6, until halftime.
After the turnaround, the Sailors added two more tries to their tally, but both came within a huge gap of 35 minutes. Though Havies came up with all strategies to outrun the Sailors, they eventually failed to capitalise or curtail them from adding 12 more points to the total. Lock Dananjaya Seneviratne braced a try in the 42nd minute, and Deshan Vimukthi touched down a minute before the final whistle. Weerasinghe converted the final try of the day, as Navy secured the third position of the Cup Segment by a mere difference.
The outcome from this encounter will have no affect on today’s Cup decider between title holders Kandy SC and CR&FC at Nittawela. Kandy has all it need to retain their title, if they can complete the league campaign with an unbeaten record, while CR&FC’s chances of winning the title depends on the number of tries, if they are to create an upset.