Havelocks win

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Havelocks Sports Club stormed into the semi-finals of the Caltex Inter-Club knock-out tournament with a hard fought 25 points (two goals, one try, one drop goal, one penalty) to 12 (one goal, one try) win over Sri Lanka Army in the quarter-final played at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 18-5 at half time.

The Park Club opened scoring in the 5th minute when flanker Poornaka Dalpachitra picked up a loose ball and scored mid right. Samantha Lakshan converted. Ten minutes later flay half Wasim Thajudeen dropped a peach of a goal from 40 metres out to make it 10-0.

In the 21st minute the Park Club increased their lead when Samantha Lakshan fired across a 25 metre penalty (Havelocks 13-0). Ten minutes later Havelocks lock forward Moahamed Izzadeen who had a splendid game picked up a loose ball and crashed through for a try mid left.

Lakshan missed the conversion. On the stroke of half time the soldiers reduced the deficit when off a second phase move winger Maurice Abeyratne fell over by the left corner flag for an unconverted try and at ‘lemons’ Havelocks led 18-5.

In the 12th minute after resumption Havelocks won a scrum in the Army 25 and centre Harsha Weerakkody sliced through the Army defence to score under the posts Samantha Lakshan converted to make it 25-5, twelve minutes later the soldiers reduced the deficit when off a five metre short tap Army prop forward Nushal Meepage powered his way to touch down under the posts T.A.

Silva added the extra points and Havelocks ran put winners by 25 points to 12. Referee: Nizan Jamldeen.