Colombo, Mar 6, 8PM – Havelock Sports Club secured a thrilling victory over CH and FC with a final score of 37-27 in the second semi-final of the Nippon Paint Clifford Cup Knockout Rugby Tournament match at Colombo’s Racecourse grounds, The atmosphere was electric, with Havelock SC leading 14-12 at halftime in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
To secure their spot in the final of Sri Lanka’s oldest club rugby tournament, Havelock SC displayed impressive skills, scoring two goals, four tries, and one penalty. On the other side, CH and FC, led by Hirusha Nethmina in the absence of regular skipper Avantha Lee, managed two goals, two tries, and one penalty.
The standout player of the match was Havelock SC’s Jayathu Rajaratne, who delivered a spectacular hat-trick with exceptional attacking and defending prowess.
The thrilling action began in the third minute when Jayathu Rajaratne scored a fantastic try, courtesy of an assist from Sandesh Jayawickrama. Janith Chandimal’s superb conversion gave Havelock SC an early 7-0 lead. However, CH and FC quickly responded in the 14th minute, with Dushmantha Priyadarshana scoring and narrowing the gap to 7-5 after Hirusha Nethmina missed the conversion.
CH and FC’s scrum-half, Maliksha Perera, showcased skillful play in the 18th minute, slicing through Havelock SC’s defense to touch down round the posts. With two extra points added by Hirusha Nethmina, CH and FC took the lead for the first time, concluding the first quarter at 12-7. In the 33rd minute, CH and FC missed an opportunity for a penalty kick.
Havies’ Jayathu Rajaratne scored his second try in the 38th minute, touching down after a well-executed inside pass from Sandesh Jayawickrama. Janith Chandimal’s successful conversion put Havelock SC back in the lead at 14-12 at halftime.
The second half kicked off with a shift in momentum as Hirusha Nethmina’s fine penalty kick in the 42nd minute regained the lead for CH and FC at 15-14. In the 49th minute, Gayan Jayamanne’s try, combined with Hirusha Nethmina’s splendid conversion, extended CH and FC’s lead to 22-14. Samuel Maduwantha’s great penalty kick in the 52nd minute reduced Havies’ deficit to 17-22.
Despite Randitha Warnapura’s try in the 57th minute, which resulted in a tied score of 22-all, the intensity only heightened. As the teams entered the last quarter, the scores remained level. In the 63rd minute, CH and FC’s Thanuja Maduranga was sent to the sin bin for a tackle.
In a thrilling turn of events, Randitha Warnapura’s outstanding run in the 63rd minute, with Samuel Maduwantha missing the conversion, gave Havelock SC a lead of 27-22. The last 15 minutes saw Shehan Dias entering the field for CH and FC, replacing Prasad Madushanka, and Soorya Dodangoda receiving a Yellow Card in the final 10 minutes.
CH and FC’s Gimhana Silva’s try in the 71st minute leveled the score at 27-all, but an astonishing try by Havelock SC’s Jayathu Rajaratna off a bouncing ball in the mid-right, despite a missed conversion, put Havies back in the lead at 32-27 in the 74th minute.
The nail-biting finale came with Chathura Dilshan’s try in the left corner flag for Havelock SC, although a missed conversion finalized the scores at 37-27. Referee Suranga Aruna Shantha’s whistle marked the end of this captivating and intense match, leaving fans with memories of an unforgettable rugby spectacle.
