They may have performed very badly in the Nippon Paint inter-club League rugby championships, but Havelocks Sports Club deserve a big bouquet and bow for taking part in the Clifford Cup knock-out rugby tournament.
They lost to Army SC by 39 points to 17 in a quarter final match but they maintained the highest norms of sportsmanship playing true to the spirit of fair-play that was quite a contrast to Kandy SC and CH and FC who pulled out for some reason.
Havelocks had 101 reasons to skip the Clifford Cup but by taking part they kept their rugby tradition alive while maintaining the faith that their commercial partners have in them. They lived up to the famous dignified saying that, “it is not whether you won or lost but how you played the game.”
Havies undoubtedly bowed out with honour and dignity that is worth much more than winning a match or two and losing their image as sporting ambassadors.
They deserve a big Thank You from their fans who believe in sportsmanship, not egoism.
What mattered most was that Havies lost with dignity which was far more important than winning with question marks.
In the match against Havies, Army SC performed to their best in a fantastic game of rugby leading 19-7 at the half time whistle.
As the scoreline would indicate Army SC played a smarter game and made their intentions quite clear by running down six superb tries through Thirusha Adikaram, Ashan Bandara, Chathuranga Perera, Sudaraka Dikkumbura, Mohomed Rifan and Nalan Premarathna with Chamath Fernando converting three tries and also slotting in the solitary penalty.
Havelock SC managed to score three tries in this game through winger Ramesh Fernando, Fartham Fazi and centre Randy Silva while Janith Chandimal added the extra points to one try.
“Even when we were behind by only one point or two points, we never gave up and kept battling to the very end. I want to thank everyone who helped us get to where we are today” Army head coach Ronny Ibrahim told the Sunday Observer.
Police on a roll
The rejuvenated Police SC produced a shocking win over Air Force SC by 22 points to 17 in another quarter final rugby encounter of the Nippon Paint Clifford Cup knockout tournament at the Race Course ground last week to advance to the semi final.
Police SC scored their tries through Number Eight Shanaka Harischandra and burly hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe who touched down twice coming out of retirement to guide them to a sensational win while Prince Chamara slotted in the two conversions and also put over the penalty.
The losing Air Force SC replied with tries scored by Nirmal Wickramasinghe and Ishara Madushan while Nuwan Perera put over two conversions and also fired across the penalty.
Police head coach Nilfer Ibrahim speaking to the Sunday Observer said: “I have to truly praise all the players who played extremely well in the quarterfinals. In particular my forwards coach and hooker Dulanjana Wijesinghe, who played brilliantly after a three to four-year lay off and scored two magnificent, game-winning tries up-front.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Police who stood by us even when we were losing games. Their support gave us the will to recover and defeat the defending Plate champions Air Force at the quarter finals”.