By Sandun Kodithuwakku

Havelock Sports Club made full use of the home advantage as they beat Army Sports Club 23-12 in their Dialog Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament encounter played at Havelock Park yesterday (9).

Havelock SC scored a goal, two tries and two penalties while Army SC accumulated their points through four penalties. The scores were 6-6 at the breather.

Army SC matched Havelock SC punch for punch right though the opening stages but a tackling in infringement saw them concede a penalty in the third minute which full back Rizah Mubarak converted from 41 metres.

In the 20th minute, Aaqil Jamaldeen converted a penalty for Havelock SC and full back Rizah Mubarak put over a 30 metre penalty. Havelock SC led 6-0.

Ten minutes later Gayan Salinda put over a penalty for Army SC to make it 3-6.

Five minutes before half time Gayan converted a 25 metre penalty to level the scores 6-6.

In the fifth minute of the second half Referee Jamaldeen awarded a penalty and Gayan put the finishing touches for Army SC to make it 9-6.

Army SC were reduced to 14-men at this stage as prop forward Sugath Nanayakkara was sin-binned for a high tackle in the sixth minute of the second half.

Eight minutes into the second half scrum half Mithun Hapugoda scored the first try of the game when he crossed the white-line after latching onto a pass from Lasindu Karunathilka.

Rizah however, missed the conversion, limiting Havelock SC’s lead to two points.

Army SC failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage however, managing their next points only two minutes later, when Gayan put over his fourth penalty. Army SC led 12-11.

The Havies scored their second try in the 63rd minute when Rahul Delpachithra went over and the conversion was missed by Mubarak. (16-12)

Five minutes before the final whistle prop forward Dushmantha Priyadarshana produced a fine individual brilliance to score the third try for the Havies and the conversion was successfully booted by full back Mubarak.