Havies march onto Clifford Cup final

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Havelock Sports Club marched onto the Clifford Cup final as they hammered Army Sports Club by 60 points (eight tries, seven conversions and two penalties) to 29 points (four tries, three conversions and one penalty) in their semi-final match played at the Racecourse Grounds in Reid Avenue today (21).

The Havies put up a dominant display in the first half scoring 31 points while in reply Army SC only managed three points through a penalty from full back Isuru Medagedara.

Havelock SC wing three quarter Chamara Dabare was outstanding right throughout the match well and truly regaining his form.

The former Royal College speedster bagged a first half brace while scrum half Mithun Hapugoda and full back Rizah Mubarak also chipped in with a try each.

The Havies backline produced a breathtaking try early on in the first half when Hapugoda sliced through the Army SC defence to clear over 60 metres but as he was tackled by an Army SC player he was able to offload the ball to Mubarak who had made the supporting run and the veteran found galloping Dinuk Amarasinghe who finished off the move going under the post.

The Park Club unleashed their young guns in the second half and the former Josephian Keshan Kavindu make most of it putting the finishing touches to another quick three quarter move while centre Theekshana Dassanayake also touched deep into the second half.

Army SC probably tried their best but the Havies were well and truly too hot for the Soldiers on the day.

Fly half Ashan Bandara crossed the white-wash twice while N. Maduranga also scored one try in the second half but could not prevent crashing out of the Clifford Cup.