Havelocks survived a ferocious Police assault by the skin of their teeth to pull off a dramatic 21-17 win and maintain their unbeaten streak in a thrilling SLR (Sri Lanka Rugby) ‘A’ division inter-club league rugby tournament match at Police Park yesterday.
Trailing 7-14 at half-time, Police turned the game upside down by snatching the lead 17-14 with ten minutes remaining. Havelocks clawed their way back to regain the lead almost instantly with their third try before hanging on for dear life with Police trying to crash over the line.
When referee Praneeth Weranga blew the final whistle with Police failing to break the deadlock and giving away the advantage, Police coach Asanga Rodrigo was seen venting his anger at the official.
An excellent game featuring open rugby was also marred by the torrent of abuse hurled from a vociferous Havelocks fan seated in the pavilion throughout the match.
Police continued from where they left off against Air Force showing their intent of running with the ball with full back Suranga Kasun joining the line in attack but it was hooker Rasith Silva who rolled over the line for the first try of the match in the seventh minute with Yohan Peiris converting to give the home team a 7-0 lead.
However, Kasun was guilty of conceding a penalty-try for obstruction after a brilliant move from a scrum in midfield by Havelocks Number Eight Umesh Madushan who paired with half-back Vimukthi Rahula on the short side.
Winger Ramesh Fernando who had an outstanding game made a spectacular run before being brought down metres from the line but was prevented from giving out the ball resulting in the penalty-try being awarded. Havelocks came close earlier winning a perfect line-out ball but Police nearly scored off a counter attack by winger Janith Chanaka who intercepted a pass and ran over 50 metres before being brought down by a superb tackle from Randitha Warnapura.
Havelocks exploited the ‘extra man’ advantage with centre Warnapura scoring by the left corner three minutes later. Fly half Sandesh Jayawickrema made a superb touchline conversion to give them a 14-7 lead at half time.
Police were starved of possession with Lakshan Weerasinghe and Havelocks skipper Shenal Deelaka gaining good ball with perfect throw-ins from hooker Azmir Fajudeen in the line-outs. But they failed to increase the lead when Police hooker Rasith Silva was sent to the sin-bin in the second quarter of the game.
However, soon after the turn around Police closed the gap to 10-14 after fly half Yohan Peiris slotted home a penalty but failed to find touch with his line kicks under pressure on occasions.
Meanwhile, Havelocks flattered to deceive with Warnapura and Fernando making some lovely breaks on the flanks. Nonetheless, Police attacked relentlessly and were rewarded when their forwards drove through after winning a line-out with Heshan Thilakaratna going over. Peiris added the extra points as Police regained the lead 17-14.
Havelocks swarmed all over Police territory almost with the restart. Jayawickrema’s attempted penalty kick bounced off the upright with Dinusha Ariyapala collecting the rebound to trigger their third try. The forwards failed to break the Police fortress but Jayawickrema swung out a long pass to Fernando who made a classic run at the right corner flag before sending out a delectable inside pass for Warnapura to canter across the line. Jayawickrema continued his fine form with the boot to add the extra points.
In a nail-biting finale, Police winger Sachith Silva came agonizingly close as he tried to dive over but needed treatment thereafter. Havelocks hung on grimly as Police laid siege on their goal line but failed to carry the ball over the line.