Havelock SC edged out a fast improving Air Force by 31 points (4 tries, 4 conversions, 1 penalty) to 25 (3 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties) in their final Dialog ‘A’ division rugby league match played at Police Park yesterday.
From the commencement of play the Airmen played an aggressive brand of rugby and Havelocks taken by surprise took some time to settle down.
The Airmen drew first blood when bulky prop Praveen Charles intercepted a pass and scored under the post. Iddamalgoda slotted in the easy conversion. Three minutes later Air Force scrum half Nuwan Perera took a quick tap from the half way mark and made valuable meters forward before offloading to winger Sudath Bandara who scored near the corner flag. Iddamalgoda missed the conversion and Air Force led 12-0.
Havelocks opened scoring in the 14th minute through their tight head prop Liston Flanty. Prince Chamara added the extra points to cut the deficit down to 12-7. However Air Force maintained their lead when Gayantha Iddamalgoda put over a penalty to make it 15-7.
The park club came back to the game in the second quarter when Sithum Peiris scored a crucial try as he went past the Air Force defence with ease. Chamara added the extra points for Havelocks to move within one point of the Airmen at 15-14.
The momentum of the game shifted from Air Force to Havies and the park club kept on attacking as Chamara Dabare powered himself past the Air Force defence to score the third try. Chamara kicked a peach of a conversion from the corner to put the Havelocks in front for the first time 21-15.
Air Force soon regained the lead when Iddamalgoda opened a gap for his prop Praveen Charles to score under the post. Iddamalgoda added the extras and the Airmen went to the half time leading 22-21.
On resumption Air Force stretched their lead to 25-21 through a penalty from Iddamalgoda.
Havelocks hit back when the Air Force defence failed to stop the rolling maul as Azmir Fajudeen scored the bonus point try for the park club. Chamara continued his good kicking form with another excellent kick to add the extra points to make it 28-25 in favour of Havelocks.
Air Force lost their scrum half Nuwan Perera as he was sent to the sin bin for an intentional knock on inside their red zone and Havies capitalized on it to score a penalty in the 71st minute through Chamara to increase the scoreline to 31-28. Although the Airmen tried their best to close the gap the Havies defence held on to secure a tough win.
Referee: Weranga
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