The rescheduled Week 03 fixtures of the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 delivered a compelling round of rugby, with several title contenders making strong statements despite challenging conditions and disrupted schedules. Havelock Sports Club continued their impressive run, Kandy Sports Club produced a ruthless attacking display, CR & FC responded emphatically, while CH & FC showed resilience and composure to remain unbeaten.
Havelocks Grind Down Army with Discipline and Depth
Full Time: Havelock Sports Club 41 – Sri Lanka Army Sports Club 12
Havelock Sports Club continued their strong run with a commanding home performance, overpowering Sri Lanka Army Sports Club through forward dominance and sharp finishing out wide.
The hosts set the tone early as Yehan Bulathsinghalage opened the scoring before the pack took control, with Chathura Dilshan crossing twice from close range. A rolling maul then delivered the bonus-point try through hooker Azmir Fajudeen, before Janidu Wijerathne capitalised on a loose kick to sprint in from distance.
>>Havelock SC outmuscle the Soldiers at the Park<<
Despite Army enjoying a sustained spell of pressure after the break and crossing twice through Vinod Kumar and Ijas Ahamed, Havelock absorbed the pressure—even while briefly down to 13 men. The contest was sealed when Jayathu Rajarathne showcased his pace and footwork to score late, capping a disciplined and physical display from the hosts.
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Jayathu Rajarathne (Havelock SC)
Wickramarachchi Leads Ruthless Kandy Display
Full Time: Kandy Sports Club 91 – Sri Lions Sports Club 03
Kandy Sports Club delivered a ruthless attacking masterclass at Longden Place, dismantling Sri Lions Sports Club with relentless pace, power, and precision.
The champions struck early and never relented, with their backs slicing through defensive gaps and the forwards dominating set-piece and maul situations. Dinal Ekanayake and Gayan Perera caused constant problems out wide, while Dahan Wickramarachchi led the charge up front with a devastating all-round performance.
>>Kandy SC massacre Sri Lions during try fest in Longdon Place<<
Sri Lions managed to register points through a first-half penalty, but Kandy’s tempo only increased after the break. Waves of attacks followed, the rolling maul proved unstoppable, and the visitors piled on tries from across the park to underline their title credentials in emphatic fashion.
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Dahan Wickramarachchi (Kandy SC)
CR & FC Hold Nerve to Subdue Police Fightback
Full Time: CR & FC 46 – Police Sports Club 22
CR & FC produced a composed display at Police Park, weathering a spirited second-half resurgence to secure a convincing bonus-point victory.
The Red Shirts built early momentum through tries from Pasindu Bandara and Chemod Muthunayake, the latter finishing twice after intelligent kicking and sharp support play. Omalka Gunaratne powered over early in the second half before CR briefly lost control following a pair of yellow cards.
>>Tamanikalu brace sinks spirited 14-Man Sailors as CH & FC stay unbeaten<<
Police capitalised during that period with three quick scores, reducing the margin and injecting belief. However, CR regrouped once back to full strength, with Viduna Amaneth crossing twice and Thenuka Nanayakkara sealing the contest late to restore control and stretch the lead beyond reach.
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Chemod Muthunayake (CR & FC)
CH & FC Finish Strong to Remain Unbeaten
Full Time: Navy Sports Club 13 – CH & FC 29
CH & FC maintained their unbeaten run with a disciplined and resilient performance against a gallant Navy side that battled bravely despite playing most of the match with 14 men.
After Navy struck first through Thilina Weerasinghe’s penalty, CH & FC responded with tries from Thanuja Maduranga and Pulasthi Dassanayake to take control by halftime. Christian de Lile extended the lead early in the second half following sustained forward pressure.
Navy refused to fade and closed the gap through Isuru Perera, but Fijian centre Koli Tamanikalu proved decisive in the closing stages, crossing twice in the final minutes to secure the bonus point and put the result beyond doubt.
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Janith Chandimal (CH & FC)
The upcoming Week 07 fixtures as follows:
- Sri Lanka Army vs CH & FC – Panagoda (02 Jan)
- CR & FC vs Havelock Sports Club – Longden Place (02 Jan)
- Police Sports Club vs Navy Sports Club – Police Park (02 Jan)
- Air Force Sports Club vs Kandy Sports Club – Ratmalana (03 Jan)
All matches are scheduled for kick-off at 3.30 PM.
