MORE OF THE SAME FOR HAVELOCKS

 Match Report by Graeme Overlunde

CR & FC dispensed more of the same medicine that they gave Havelocks during their first leg encounter when they entertained their old rivals at home. However it wasn't the exhibition of rugby that one had hoped for after their first round demolition of the boys in chocolate and pink (and yellow?) The score line read 39-3 but the margin could have much bigger if CR had finished all their opportunities.

CR started in their usual fashion of a house on fire when Mushataq touched down at the corner for the opening try 7 minutes into the first half. With the conversion unsuccessful CR led 5- nil. This was soon followed by another try that came from a quick tap by halfback Zulki when Havelocks were penalized for holding on. The ball was sent wide and full back Pushpey touched down in the same corner. The conversion was good this time and CR led 12- Nil

Both tries seem to have a copybook feel to them, create the overlap and send the extra man in, and as everyone expected it was to be business as usual for the red shirts. However as the game went on the quality of ball and decision making in the CR back line deteriorated.

Although CR kept attacking, their hands kept letting them down passes too wide or split and the extra man overrunning the ball all added to their woes. But in fairness it was also partly to do with new center Dilan finding his feet in a backline that has gelled together so well this season. It took a lot of effort to read these guys moves and Dilan just did not have enough experience or match time with his team mates to click.

CR's third try was a beauty. Walpola made a 20 metre break and set up 2^nd phase ball, pushpey and sherrif re-grouped and Kalu was sent to the wing where he collected a perfect pass to run in at the corner untouched.

Havies after missing a drop goal 20 mtrs out managed to knock over a penalty towards the end of the first half and went into the break trailing 17-3. They never seemed to capitalise on any of CR's unforced errors and on the rare occasion that they did make a good break CR cut them down with some strong defense.

The CR forwards were having a field day at the expense of their bumbling counterparts. I can't understand why the referee didn't send a few of them to the sin bin for the professional fouls they repeatedly committed. They ruined good ball and as a result CR were frustrated at the breakdown. In the loose however the CR forwards were all over the park. Savantha, sporting his new haircut from hell played like the devil himself. Walpola ran like man possessed and he was rewarded for his gold medal effort with a try 10 minutes into the 2^nd half to take the lead to 22– 3

Havelocks conceded more penalties and finally were dished a yellow card. A man down and CR capitalized with some good rolling mauls and it brought them two more tries one to prop Shamil and another to skipper Pavithra. The CR forwards were at boiling point as they destroyed the Havies pack.

The havies fly half was sent to the bin for swinging his handbag at Karthelis and Kalu got his 2^nd try to end the game 39-3 but not before losing full back Pushpey with a possible broken cheek bone which could mean a big blow to the CR as they go through to the business end of the season

CR weren't playing to their full potential and it showed, they weren't urgent enough at times and the ball was not bouncing their way either. But to still pull of a 7 tries to nil victory when you aren't playing your best speaks volumes for this side. The red shirts are their own worst critics and we can be certain they will be working very hard this week to put the little things right.