CR & FC cruise past soldiers in rain-shortened game at Panagoda

Army SC hosted the fancied CR & FC club today (21st of November) in a crucial second-week clash of the Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 at the Army Rugby Grounds in Panagoda. Due to heavy showers and adverse ground conditions, the game was limited to the first half, and the powerful play of CR & FC sealed the game for the Red Shirts. 

The host, Army SC, came into the battle after they were narrowly beaten by the Air Force SC after giving a fierce fight. On the contrary, CR & FC took the field with full confidence after their thumping win against Sri Lions SC. 

Army kicked off the thing under wet conditions, and straightaway CR made a fumble, and the possession was recovered by the host. But the hosts also failed to capitalise their initial advantage into points due to the wet conditions of the ground. 

After 10 minutes of play, CR added massive pressure on Army at a scrum, and they began to move forward inch by inch. After making good yards, CR No. 08 and their skipper, Lasindu Karunathilake, broke away from the scrum and went over for the first try of the match, delivering a statement of their pure power. Thenuka Nanayakkara managed to bisect the posts under unfavourable conditions to add the extras. (CR & FC 07 – 00 Army SC) 

With a deep restart kick, the hosts advanced near to the try line, but Dinesh Silva made an excellent clearance kick to get out of jail. After a clear lineout, Nalaka Maduranga made a vital break for the Army SC and advanced into the 22-metre area of the Red Shirts. Then the army launched a fine attack with multiple phases and searched for prey like a shark who smelt blood. But the lads from CR & FC were equally up to the task with their superb defence, and finally the referee, Raveen Alexander, penalised the Army for handling the ball while being off their feet. 

Then the army was penalised for holding on to the ball at the deck, and CR managed to have a 5-metre lineout. A maul was formed after the lineout, and against the power of heavy CR forwards, soldiers had to back paddle until the visitors scored their second courtesy of the hooker, Venura Kodagods. (CR & FC 12 – 00 Army SC) 

Later the soldiers penetrated into the CR territory and tried their level best to plant it on the first try. With over a dozen pick-and-go phases, the hosts advanced into the CR & FC 22-metre area. But the Red Shirts were unshaken, and their solid defence was too good for the soldiers, as they prevented the third attack of the soldiers. 

After half an hour of play, CR was threatened again by the invading Army SC’s territory. Suddenly the referee spotted an offside play by an Army player, and CR’s fine effort was rewarded with another 5-metre lineout. Then CR attacked a few phases with their forwards, and their gigantic forward Omalka Gunarathna was at his best and scored their third try by bulldozing the  

defenders that were on his way. Under heavy showers, Thenuka Nanayakkara added the extras by nailing the conversion. (CR & FC 19 – 00 Army SC) 

The restart was delayed as the match officials pointed out that the touch and try lines weren’t visible due to the rainwater, which made the entire field into a puddle. After a brief discussion, the game continued, and during the dying stage of the first half, the soldiers attacked deep into CR territory and almost had a try but were prevented by an excellent defence by the Red Shirts. The score remained the same until halftime, and the referee blew the short whistle. 

Half Time: CR & FC 19 (3 T, 2 C) – 00 Army Sports Club 

During halftime, the rain was pouring and the conditions of the ground got worse. Hence, the game was called off by declaring the Red shirts as the winners, but importantly, without the try bonus. 

Though there were heavy showers during the game, CR & FC utilised their experience in quickly becoming accustomed to the conditions. The Red Shirts from Longdon Place looked to work the ball as they usually do initially, but once the rain got heavier, they brought in the territorial game. Under the circumstances, the forwards training under Dushantha Lewke got the better of the soldiers and stamped a dominant victory against the resilient play of the hosts. Despite the defeat, Army SC could take a lot of positives out of this game, as they troubled the Red Shirts on four occasions by getting closer towards the whitewash. 

Full Time : CR & FC 19 (3 T, 2 C) – 00 Army Sports Club 

• SWISSTEK Perfect Player of the Match : Omalka Gunaratne (CR & FC) 

Points Breakdown 

 

CR & FC : 19 

Lasindu Karunathilake 5 Points (1 T), Venura Kodagoda 5 Points (1 T), Omalka Gunaratne 5 Points (1T), Thenuka Nanayakkara 4 Points (2 C) 

 

Army Sports Club : 00