Week 02 of the Super Round of the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26 delivered a compelling mix of authority and resilience, as contenders in both the Cup and Plate Segments strengthened their positions. Defending champions Kandy Sports Club produced another commanding display to tighten their grip on a Home Cup Final berth, while CR & FC responded under pressure to keep their title hopes alive. In the Plate Segment, Air Force Sports Club confirmed their dominance with another polished performance, as Navy Sports Club edged out Police SC in a dramatic one-point thriller.
CUP SEGMENT
Kandy turn precision into power at Havelock Park
Full Time:
Havelock Sports Club 17 (2T, 2C, 1P)
Kandy Sports Club 42 (6T, 3C, 2P)
Kandy Sports Club delivered a composed and clinical performance to outclass Havelock Sports Club at Havelock Park, with the result confirming their place in the Super Round Final and edging the defending champions closer to securing the decider on home soil. After applying early scoreboard pressure through the boot of Hirusha Sampath, Kandy struck decisively, with Dinal Ekanayake pouncing on an interception for the opening try before finishing a second long-range effort to punish the Havelocks’ attacking ambition.
The Havelocks rallied before the break through a maul-driven try from Azmir Fajudeen to remain within touching distance at Half Time. However, Kandy shifted gears after the restart, with Srinath Sooriyabandara, Diluksha Dange and Heshan Jansen all crossing as the visitors stretched their advantage. Even after Dange was sent off, Kandy maintained their composure, and Shaheed Zumri’s late penalty and well-worked try put the seal on a commanding victory.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Dinal Ekanayake (Kandy SC)
Zubair leads the fightback as CR down CH
Full Time:
CH & FC 16 (2T, 2P)
CR & FC 26 (4T, 3C)
CR & FC bounced back strongly to defeat CH & FC at Racecourse, keeping their Super Round campaign firmly alive. An early counter-attacking try by Chemod Muthunayake set the tone before Mursheed Zubair produced a moment of individual brilliance, breaking multiple tackles to score under the posts.
- Kongahawatte’s kicking brilliance hands Navy a one point victory after a thriller at Welisara
- CR & FC Respond Under Pressure to Overpower CH & FC
- Defending Champions Kandy Flex Muscle Against Havelocks
CH remained in contention through forward pressure and Janith Chandimal’s boot, but CR’s control proved decisive. Chathura Senevirathne’s second-half try and a penalty try from sustained maul pressure secured the bonus point. Despite a late try from Matthew Setele, CR closed out the contest with maturity and discipline.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Senura Perera (CR & FC)
PLATE SEGMENT
Airmen march on with authority
Full Time:
Army Sports Club 12 (2T, 1C)
Air Force Sports Club 25 (4T, 1C, 1P)
Air Force Sports Club produced a ruthless attacking display to overwhelm Navy SC in a one-sided Plate segment opener at Welisara. After an early Navy try, the Airmen seized control with pace and power out wide, running in four first-half tries to take a commanding lead into the break.
Vaovasa Afa, Arosha Rathnayake and Ishara Rathnayake starred in a relentless second half as Air Force piled on points from all areas of the field. Navy showed flashes of resistance through Skipper Denuwan Wickramarachchi, but the Airmen’s tempo and finishing proved far too strong.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force SC)
Navy snatch victory in one-point classic
Full Time:
Navy Sports Club 30 (3T, 3C, 3P)
Police Sports Club 29 (5T, 2C)
Navy Sports Club staged a thrilling late comeback to edge Police Sports Club 30 – 29 in a Super Round Week Two Plate Segment clash at Welisara. Police appeared in control after surging to a 29 – 16 lead early in the second half, capitalising on Navy errors and strong forward play.
However, inspired by the composure and accuracy of Isuru Kongahawatte, the Sailors clawed their way back into contention. A penalty try shifted momentum before Kavisha Wijerathne crossed for the decisive score, with Kongahawatte calmly landing the match-winning conversion to seal a dramatic one-point victory on home soil.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Isuru Kongahawatte (Navy SC)
The upcoming Super Round Week 03 fixtures as follows:
Plate Segment
- Air Force Sports Club vs Police Sports Club – Ratmalana(13 Feb)
- NavySports Club vs Sri Lanka Army – Welisara (14 Feb)
Cup Segment
- CR & FCvs Kandy Sports Club – Longdon Place (14 Feb)
- CH & FCvs Havelock Sports Club– Race Course (15 Feb)
CR & FC vs Kandy Sports Club kicks off at 6.00 PM and all other matches are scheduled for kick-off at 4.00 PM.
