Havelocks storm into semis with resounding 34-13 win

RUGBY: Havelocks Sports Club stormed into the semi-finals of the Caltex Clifford Cup knock-out Rugby Tournament with a resounding 34 points (three goals, two tries, one penalty) to 13 (one goal, two penalties) win over Sri Lanka Army in the quarter-final played at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 14-3 at the breather.

The park club opened scoring in the 25th minute of the first half when they won a line out in the Army '25' and set the three quarters in motion and full back Dilip Methruwan joined the line and cracked through for a try mid left. Sajith Bandara added the extra points.

Five minutes later, Havelocks won a 10 metre line out and set the three quarters in motion and winger Lalindra Rodrigo put the finishing touches to the move by diving over by the left corner flag. Sajith Bandara made a spectacular conversion to make it 14-nil. On the stroke of half time Army reduced the deficit when full back T. A. Silva fired across a 25 metre penalty.

In the 8th minute after resumption Havelocks flanker Ravi Jayasuriya scored by the posts off a forwards rush. Bandara failed to add the extra points.

Five minutes later Army's T. A. Silva put over a 40 metre penalty to make it 21-6 in Havelocks favour. In the 15th minute of the second half the park club increased their lead when winger Philip Esingharachchi scored an unconverted try by the right corner flag.

Seven minutes later Havelocks won a line out in the Army 25 and worked their three quarters. Winger Lalindra Rodrigo (who had an excellent game) breached the Army defence to score mid right. Bandara missed the conversion.

Three minutes before the final whistle Army winger Upali Wickramasinghe made an interception off a Havelocks three quarter move and dashed through 35 metres to score under the posts. T. A. Silva made no mistakes with the conversion to make it 31-13.

On the stroke of full time Havelocks' Sajith Bandara sent the ball sailing over the cross bar when they were awarded a 40 metre penalty to make it 34-13. Referee D. Nimal - (R.S)