Havelocks clinch WP under 24 rugby title

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

RUGBY: Havelocks Sports Club clinched the Western Province under 24 rugby title with a smashing 32 points (two goals, three tries, one penalty) to 8 (one try, one penalty) win over Old Zahirians Sports Club in the final played at Havelock Park on Sunday, after leading 15-5 at the breather.

Ten teams took part in this tournament which was organised by the Western Province RFU with the notable absentees being Kandy SC and CR and FC.

The Park Club opened scoring in the 7th minute when number eight Tyronne Harrison barged through to touch down mid right off a five metre scrum. Samantha Lakshan missed the conversion. Five minutes later Samantha Lakshan fired across a 20 metre penalty to make it 8-0.

Ten minutes later Old Zahirians reduced the deficit when centre M. Shahib scored an unconverted try off a fine three quarter move.

The Park Club increased the lead a few minutes later when winger Zahir Badurdeen sped over 20 metres to touch down under the posts. Samantha Lakshan made no mistake with the conversion and Havelocks led 15-5 at 'lemons'.

In the fifth minute after resumption Old Zahirians reduced the deficit when Sheron de Silva fired across a 25 metre penalty.

A few minutes later the Park Club increased their lead when full-back Dilip Methruwan joined the line off a three quarter move to score mid left.

Samantha Lakshan added the extra points to make it 22-8. The lads from Havelock Park who dominated the second half scored two more unconverted tries through winger Suranga Jagoda and centre Niroshan Karunaratne and ran out worthy winners by 32 points to 8.

Aruna Jayasekera refereed.

Havelocks edged out CH and FC by 6-5 in the semi-finals while Old Zahirians scored a runaway 42-0 win over Old Royal, Horana in the other semi-final