CR edge out Havelocks 22-16 to enter final

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

CR and FC withstood a fierce challenge from Havelocks Sports Club to win by 22 points (one goal, five penalties) to 16 (two tries, two penalties) in the second semi-final of the Caltex inter-club knock-out rugby tournament for the Clifford Cup played at Longden Place yesterday. CR and FC led 13-0 at ‘lemons’.

The scores read 16-all three minutes before the final whistle before CR and FC full back Reza Mubarak fired across two penalties from 30 metres and 40 metres out in the last three minutes, to give the Red Shirts a 22-16 win and a place in the Clifford Cup final on August 24.

Incidentally the last year’s Isipatana and Sri Lanka under 20 player Mubarak emerged CR’s hero by contributing 17 points to their tally by firing across five penalties and adding the extra points to the solitary try scored by burly Henry Terrance.

The Red Shirts opened scoring in the 11th minute off a superb three quarter move begun in mid field by fly half Ashan de Costa which ended with burly lock forward Henry Terrance who was backing up, scoring mid right. Reza Mubarak converted (CR 7-0).

Two minutes later CR’s Reza Mubarak fired across a 35 metre penalty to make it 10-0. In the 18th minute the Red Shirts increased their lead when Reza Mubarak made no mistake with a 30 metre penalty and CR led 13-0 at ‘lemons’.

Havelocks came back storming after the resumption and in the 13th minute of the second half scrum half Samantha Lakshan put over a 35 metre penalty.

Three minutes later Havelocks fly half Wasim Thajudeen made a break from mid field kicked ahead and followed it and collected the ball and slipped out a pass to the omnipresent flanker Poornaka Delpachitra who scored mid right.

Samantha Lakshan missed the conversion and the score read 13-8. In the 23rd minute Havelocks fly half Samantha Lakshan fired across a 35 metre penalty to make it 13-11. Three minutes later CR’s Reza Mubarak put over a 30 metre penalty and CR led 16-11.

In the 28th minute off a second phase move Havelocks set their three quarters in motion and winger Ruchira Ratnage scored by the left corner flag. Samantha Lakshan missed the conversion and the scores read 16-all.

CR launched an all out assault on the Havelocks goal line in the last five minutes and in the 37th minute they were rewarded when full back Reza Mubarak fired across a 30 metre penalty and just before the final whistle CR were awarded a 40 metre penalty and full back Reza Mubarak sent the ball sailing over the cross bar to give CR a 22-16 win.

Referee: Nizam Jamaldeen