Havelocks in search of past glory

Havelocks Sports Club was in the forefront of rugby in the 1970's and 1980's during which period they won the 'A' Division League Title on several occasions and also club rugby's richest prize the Clifford Cup many times.

But during the last two decades the park club's rugby standard declined resulting in them winning only one major title in 15-a-side rugby - Premier champions Trophy in 2003 and the Rugby Sevens Title thrice in 1995, 2000 and 2001.

However last year Havelocks came up with a fine display to emerge third in the Caltex 'A' Division League winning seven matches out of 12 and also went down fighting to CR and FC in the Clifford Cup semi-finals (17-23).

This year an exodus of their players to other clubs saw the park club having one of their worst seasons being relegated to the Plate Championship after the first round of the Caltex 'A' Division League and finished runners up of the Plate which means they were placed eighth in the final standings of the league.

But the newly elected President of the club Tyronne Coonghe is determined to make Havelocks once again a force to be reckoned with in the club rugby scene.

Coonghe, a former Josephian scrum half and a Sri Lanka schools basketball player has entrusted the task of coaching the club to former Havelocks skipper Thusitha Peiris who has returned to the country after following a coaching course in Sydney, Australia.

The park club has appointed former Peterite and Havelocks hooker Rajiv Perera as the captain for the 2010 rugby season. The pink and chocolate jerseyed lads have also retained the services of seasoned campaigners Wasim Thajudeen, Shafi Hassen, Chathuranga Amerasinghe, Rajiv Ganapathy, Ruwan Suranga, Nuwan Samith and Danushka Sandaruwan in addition to talented youngsters Chanaka Fonseka, Zakir Badurdeen, Harsha Weerakkody and Gerald Canute.

"In addition to these players I have spoken to some of the players who left the club this year and they have shown willingness to return to our fold.

We have also spoken to rugby promoter Malik Samarawickrema to obtain the services of some players who cannot find a regular place in the Kandy SC team to play for our club next year," said Coonghe.

"Next year we hope to finish fourth in the Caltex 'A' Division League under the guidance of that dedicated coach Thusitha Peiris who coached the Park club from 2004 to 2006," said Tyronne.

The Havelocks President will have the services of former Peterite and Havelocks winger Roshan Deen (Vice President), ex-Trinity and Havelocks flanker S.W. Chang (Secretary), former Peterite ruggerite Richard Murcott (Assistant Secretary), ex-Havelocks skipper Kamal Mahendra and former Thomian winger Gehan Dias (Committee members) in his task of making Havelocks once again a force to be reckoned with.