Niroshan Fernando and his team mates at Havelock Sports Club were crowned Clifford Cup champions after 38 long years, when they beat Air Force SC by 40 points to 21 in the final played in Colombo. It was talent, dedication, discipline and of course team work which were the basic ingredients which helped Havelocks towards their success. This club has a long history and rugby is the club’s main sporting activity. The “Havies”, as they are commonly known among its members, and the club’s ground is known as Havelock Park. The club has produced some excellent players since 1950.
Havies magnificent exploits this season helped them to finish second in the league and win the knockout. Havies were the first winners of the inter-club league championship held in 1950 under Ian Labrooy. At the end of the tournament, Havelocks had gained 14 points in their seven games two points ahead of the nearest rival CH & FC, followed by clubs like CR & FC, Dimbulla A & CC, Kandy SC, Uva Gymkhana Club, Dickoya MCC and KV.
Although it took them years to be crowned champions in the local rugby arena, the park club ruggerites not only emulated the performances of their more illustrious predecessor Kandy SC who achieved this feat in consecutive seasons in the early years, but brought back reminiscences of their glory days with their traditional brand of fast open rugby.
The key men who worked behind the scenes for the club’s success were Head Coach Sanath Martis, Harris Omar and the rugby management committee comprising Sammy Akbar, Roshan Opatha, Sanath Martis, Lakala Perera Chanaka “Alex” Nishantha, Mangala Dharmapriya, Rukran Cabral and S. Sunimal and the committee headed by Romesh Abeyawickrema and the knowledgeable secretary Tiny Samat. They started preparing well ahead. Bringing a team on to the field takes a great deal of administration, from here the players take over.
Havelock SC last won the Clifford cup in 1981 under Angelo Wickremaratne, that year they won the triple – Sevens, Clifford Cup and the President’s trophy. Their next championship win was the league in 2012 after thirty one long years. Then in 2017 they entered the Clifford Cup final and lost to Kandy SC 20-32. Now they have won the Clifford Cup for the 15th occasion.
Havies fans gathered in their numbers at Racecourse stadium to watch their club win the Clifford Cup after many years. The happiest would have been their two former senior players Y.C. Chang and Gamini Fernando; both of whom carried the heavy weight on their shoulders to this club as players and as presidents and also not forgetting Kilili Pulanden.
Havelock SC’s squad was made out of players like Niroshan Fernando, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Liston Flatny, Azmir Fajjudeen, Rahal Delpachitra, Faiz Abdulla, Chanaka Bandara, Christian De Lie, Gavin Perera, Dayann Sabar, Sharo Fernando, Umesh Madushan, Dilanka Perera, Ganidu Lakshan, Senal Deelaka, Sithum Peris, Lasindu Karunatilaka, Shawket Lahir, Sandesh Jayawikrama, Mitun Hapugoda, Vimukthi Rahula, Theekshana Dassanayaka, Dinuk Amarasingha, Asahan Ariyapala, Chamara Dabare, Sadun Herath, Chanaka Kumara, Riza Mubarak, Chamika Samaratunga, Asitha Gayeshan, Lochana Girihagama, Kavindu Keshan, Malesha Madumewan, Shan Akilam, Ishara Liyanage and Thanuja Jayawickrema.
FELICITATION DINNER
The Clifford Cup winning Havelock SC team will be felicitated on Friday for dinner hosted by the club, which will be known as the “Player night”. There will be a special plaque presented to their coach, Sanath Martis.
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