HAVELOCK PARK, Colombo, April 3, 2025 (ePRESS) – CR and FC survived a nerve-wracking finish to clinch a dramatic 25-24 victory over traditional rivals Havelock Sports Club in the Mastercard Clifford Cup Knockout Rugby Tournament semi-final at Havelock Park on Wednesday. In a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, last year’s league champions dispalyed resilience and tactical brilliance to book a spot in the final against unbeaten league winners Kandy Sports Club on April 6 Sunday at Nittawela.
The Red Shirts amassed their 25 points through two converted tries, one unconverted try, and two penalties, while the home team, Havies, responded with three converted tries and a penalty, falling agonizingly short by a single point.
CR and FC set the tone early, applying relentless pressure on the Havelocks’ defence. Their intent was clear when top points scorer Mursheed Doray successfully converted a 25-meter penalty in the ninth minute, drawing first blood for a 3-0 lead.
Havelocks responded in the 22nd minute through fullback Tharindu Hettiarachchi, who slotted in a penalty to level the scores at 3-all.
CR’s forward pack then orchestrated a well-structured rolling maul led by second-rower Suhiru Anthony, paving the way for burly flanker Omalka Gunaratne to bulldoze his way over the line in the 32nd minute. With Doray converting, the Red Shirts took a 10-3 advantage.
However, the Havies struck back when second-rower Udara Lakshan crashed over for a try in the 37th minute. Centre Sandesh Jayawickrama added the extras to level the score again at 10-all.
Just before the break, CR and FC capitalized on another maul, with the experienced Gunaratne once again proving his worth by forcing his way over for an unconverted try. The Red Shirts went into halftime with a slender 15-10 lead.
CR and FC extended their lead early in the second half through winger Chemod Muthunayake, who finished off a sweeping backline move in the 42nd minute. Doray’s pinpoint conversion stretched the margin to 22-10, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.
A crucial moment came in the 62nd minute when CR’s flanker Gunaratne was substituted, and winger Randy Silva was yellow-carded. Sensing an opportunity, Havelocks number eight Chathura Dilshan powered over for a well-executed try. Jayawickrama’s conversion narrowed the deficit to 17-22.
Despite the pressure, CR kept their composure. A 30-meter penalty from Doray in the 73rd minute extended their lead to 25-17, seemingly sealing the contest.
But Havelocks were not done yet. With just two minutes left, Dilshan struck again, capitalizing on a five-meter scrum to score his second try of the match. Jayawickrama held his nerve to add the conversion, bringing the score to a nail-biting 24-25.
A tension reached boiling point, Havelocks centre Sudesh Jayawickrama was sin-binned for an infringement, further denting their comeback hopes. Replacement Thiven Perera then saw yellow in the dying seconds, handing CR and FC the final say in a match that was nothing short of a classic.
When the final whistle blew, it was CR and FC who stood tall, holding off a fierce Havelocks charge to punch their ticket to the Clifford Cup final. The impact of their experienced forward leader, Omalka Gunaratne, was evident throughout the contest, proving pivotal in their triumph.
With this victory, the Red Shirts set up a high-stakes clash against Kandy Sports Club, the unbeaten league champions, in what promises to be an electrifying Clifford Cup final at Nittawela on April 6 Sunday.
Referee: Raveen Alexander
