Havies hammer hapless Navy 35-3

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Havelock Sports Club Captain Mithun Hapugoda led by example as they hammered Navy Sports Club by 35 points (five tries and five conversions) to three points (one penalty) in the opening match of the Dialog Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament worked off in Welisara today (29).

Having taken a 21-3 half time lead, the Havies secured the bonus point in the 46th minute when wing three quarter Rukmal Fernando touched down near the right corner flag and it required a magnificent kick from full back Prince Chamara to earn the extras as the former Science College place kicker nailed what was a very difficult kick to lead 28-3.

Navy only managed three points off a penalty from former Isipathana College fly half Isuru Koongahawatte had a below par game amid the new coaching staff barely creating anything against a young Havelock side.

Havelock SC wing three quarter Dinushan Ariyapala put the icing on the cake with a try in the 80th minute pretty much strolling across the Navy SC midfield that had been very poor from the kick-off.

Navy SC second row Nirosh Perera was shown the first Blue Card in the history of Sri Lanka club rugby when he appeared to have refused to leave the field in the second half following a head injury but it was all Havies for 80 minutes though the game was done and dusted before the half time when the Havies had taken an 18-point lead.

Hooker Azmir Fajudeen touched down in the 20th minute following a typical driving maul to take 7-3 lead after Koongahawatte’s fifth minute penalty.

Five minutes later, scrum half and Captain Hapugoda produced a moment of magic when he crashed over for an excellent try further extending their lead to 14-3.

The Havies probably took the game away from Navy SC following their third try which was scored by former Isipathana centre Randy Silva.

Prince Chamara though had a poor start to the game missing a penalty in the 12th minute, recovered brilliantly to convert all the five tries.