Air Force in 26-20 win over Havelocks

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

RUGBY: The Sri Lanka Air Force withstood a fierce challenge from Havelocks Sports Club to notch up their first win for the season by 26 points (one goal, two tries, three penalties) to 20 (four tries) in their Caltex 'A' Division league rugby match played at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 23-10 at 'lemons'.

It was a superb performance by the Airmen who went into this game as the underdogs. Their forwards especially Saumya Silva, Vithanage, Bandara, Ediriweera, Ranasinghe and Kurukulasuriya played like terriers to match up to the famed Havelocks forwards Hassan, Jayasena, Dissanayake, Jayasuriya, Rajiv Perera and Harrison in the loose.

They also had a major share of possession from the line outs with the trio of Bandara, Soysa and Kurukulasuriya having the edge over the Havelocks duo of Jayasena and Jayasuriya in the line outs while the set scrums were shared between Havelocks' Rajiv Perera and Air Force's Duminda Vithanage.

Whenever the Airmen set their three quarters in motion full back Rohan Fernando (who joined the line to form the over lap) and winger Sirej Niranga made some daring runs before they were brought down. In contrast the Park Club was let down by their three quarters especially centre Ruwan Suranga and winger Zakir Badurdeen who spilled passes at crucial moments.

The Airmen opened scoring in the fifth minute when the ball came their way off a loose maul in the Havelocks '25' and set the three quarters in motion and winger Sirej Niranga put the finishing touches to the move by touching down by the corner flag.

Charith Seneviratne missed the conversion. Five minutes later, the Airmen were awarded a penalty five metres away from the Havelocks' goal line and scrum half Radeesha Seneviratne took a quick short tap and scampered through to score by the right corner flag. Centre Charith Seneviratne made a spectacular conversion to make it 12-0.

Havelocks fought back and in the 16th minute they won a five metre scrum and number eight Tyronne Harrison powered his way to touch down under the posts. Zakir Badurdeen missed the conversion.

Four minutes later, Havelocks won another five metre scrum and number eight Tyronne Harrison barged through to touch down mid left. Badurdeen failed to add the extra points and Air Force led 12-10. In the 30th minute, Air Force's Charith Seneviratne fired across a 30 metre penalty to make it 15-10.

Four minutes later, Air Force won a line out in the Havelocks '25' and set the three quarters in motion and winger Sirej Niranga put the finishing touches to the move by touching down by the right corner flag.

Charith Seneviratne missed the conversion. On the stroke of half time, Charith Seneviratne put over a 25 metre penalty to make it 23-10 at the breather.

In the fourth minute after resumption, Air Force increased their lead when Charith Senevirante made no mistake with a 25 metre penalty to make it 26-10.

In the 30th minute of the second half came Havelocks' fight back. They were awarded a penalty in mid field and substitute scrum half Roshan Rajapakse took a quick short tap and slung out a pass to flanker S. B. Dissanayake who sped over 30 metres to fall over for an unconverted try by the corner flag.

The Park Club came back storming and three minutes later substitute scrum half Roshan Rajapakse scored mid left. He failed to add the extra points and the score read 26-20 in favour of Air Force.

Referee: D. Nimal.