The first of the second week’s Plate Segment clashes of the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 was staged as Police SC took on Navy SC at the Navy Grounds in Welisara. After trailing 16–29 at one stage, Navy SC showcased a valiant effort to bounce back and post a dramatic one-point victory following a nail-biting finish.
Prince Chamara kicked things off for Police SC with a high-hanging kick. Soon after, the Police gained possession by capitalising on a knock-on, and their forwards looked brutal in the early exchanges. Inch by inch, the powerful Police pack drove play close to the try line. The ball was then shifted wide to the three-quarters, and after some zig-zag passing, the unmarked openside winger Sujan Kodithuwakku crossed the whitewash with a diving effort at the right corner to score the opening try. The Fijian, Kaliova, missed the conversion.
(Police SC 05 – 00 Navy SC)
Navy responded with a deep restart, and Police fullback Isuru Kongahawatte attempted a clearance kick. However, Chanaka Jayalath brilliantly charged it down and chased the ball towards the dead-ball line, appearing to ground it successfully. After consultation with the TMO, referee Raveen Alexander ruled that the Navy player had failed to ground the ball properly, resulting in a knock-on.
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Police soon advanced deep into Navy territory, forcing the hosts to concede multiple penalties under sustained pressure. Kaliova then made an exceptional driving run, drawing in several defenders. Showing great awareness, he offloaded with a backhand pass to fly-half Prince Chamara, who sliced through a gap to score Police’s second try. Chamara narrowly missed the conversion of his own try.
(Police SC 10 – 00 Navy SC)
After conceding back-to-back tries, the Navy forwards stepped up and began making good metres with sustained pressure. Playing under advantage for not rolling away, Navy spread the ball wide. A magnificent cut-out pass from the centre sent Amith Madushanka over in the right corner for the hosts’ first try. Kongahawatte slotted a superb conversion, curving the ball perfectly between the uprights.
(Police SC 10 – 07 Navy SC)
The Sailors continued their attacking momentum and advanced deep into Police territory once more. The Police backs were penalised for offside, and with the kick positioned in front of the posts, Navy opted for points. Kongahawatte made no mistake, levelling the scores.
(Police SC 10 – 10 Navy SC)
Moments later, Navy again pressured the Police defence. During lateral passing, a Police tackler failed to retreat after a tackle, and the scrum-half’s pass struck him, resulting in another penalty. Kongahawatte, in fine form, calmly converted to give Navy the lead.
(Police SC 10 – 13 Navy SC)
In the dying stages of the first half, Navy secured possession inside the Police 22 through an accidental obstruction. Following the scrum, Police conceded another unnecessary penalty, and Navy once again opted for points. Kongahawatte bisected the posts to extend the lead.
(Police SC 10 – 16 Navy SC)
The successful kick was followed by the halftime whistle, and Navy headed into the break with a six-point advantage after trailing by ten early on.
Halftime: Navy SC 16 (1T, 1C, 3P) – Police SC 10 (2T)
Early in the second half, Police powered their way into Sailors territory and earned a five-metre lineout after Navy were penalised for offside. A solid lineout was followed by a powerful driving maul, with the Police forwards bulldozing their counterparts to score through hooker Vihanga Shaveen. Kaliova added a brilliant conversion to reclaim the lead.
(Navy SC 16 – 17 Police SC)
Police continued to apply pressure and forced another penalty for off-the-feet play, earning a second five-metre lineout. Although Navy halted the initial maul, Police persisted with pick-and-go phases, and Pradeep Kumara eventually crossed the line to secure the bonus-point try.
(Navy SC 16 – 22 Police SC)
Under pressure inside their own 22, Prince Chamara produced an exquisite high-hanging kick, which a Navy defender failed to gather cleanly. The alert Police centre collected the loose ball and delivered a sharp pass to blindside winger Himasha Ramith, who outpaced the defence to score under the posts. Kaliova converted easily to extend the Police lead.
(Navy SC 16 – 29 Police SC)
Despite Police dominance in the second half, Navy refused to concede defeat on home soil. The Sailors launched a well-structured attack, supported effectively by their backs. As pressure mounted, Police discipline wavered, resulting in multiple penalties. Referee Alexander eventually awarded a penalty try, and Police hooker Vihanga Shaveen was sent to the sin bin with a yellow card.
(Navy SC 23 – 29 Police SC)
The momentum shifted immediately. Spotting space behind the defence, Kongahawatte executed a clever kick deep into Police territory. Prince Chamara mishandled the ball under pressure, allowing Kongahawatte to chase and kick ahead again, though he knocked on while grounding. The referee ruled that Chamara’s knock-on came first and awarded Navy a scrum inside the Police 22.
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After a solid scrum, Navy attacked at lightning speed, like a shiver of sharks sensing blood. Kavisha Wijerathne finished the move by crossing the whitewash, leaving Kongahawatte to decide the contest. Remaining ice-cool, he converted to hand Navy a thrilling one-point victory.
(Navy SC 30 – 29 Police SC)
With only minutes remaining, Police restarted play hoping for a late twist, but the hosts held their nerve to seal a memorable victory on home turf.
Fulltime: Navy SC 30 (3T, 3C, 3P) – Police SC 29 (5T, 2C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match – Isuru Kongawatte (Navy SC)
Points Breakdown
Navy Sports Club – 30
Amith Madushanka 1 T, Kavisha Wijerathne 1 T, Isuru Kongawatte 2 C, 3 P, and a Penalty Try
Police Sports Club – 29
Sujan Kodithuwakku 1 T, Vihanga Shaveen 1 T, Prince Chamara 1 T, Pradeep Kumara 1 T, Himasha Ramith 1T, Kaliova Mecetradi 2 C
