CR & FC were crowned the new Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26 champions after a last-gasp penalty sealed a dramatic Grand Final victory over Kandy Sports Club at Longdon Place. The 23–21 triumph capped a pulsating encounter, with the decisive kick arriving in the dying moments to clinch the title
The Grand Final between the season’s top two sides burst into life under the lights for the second consecutive week, as a packed house witnessed an electrifying start. Kandy playmaker Shahid Zumri got proceedings underway, and the opening exchanges delivered four minutes of relentless, high-tempo rugby that set the tone for a fitting finale.
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The contest took a dramatic turn in the 13th minute when Kandy winger Dinal Ekanayake was shown a red card following a TMO review for a reckless high tackle on Thenuka Nanayakkara, with no mitigation deemed possible. Reduced to 14 men, Kandy were immediately put under pressure as CR & FC kicked to the corner. Their rolling maul surged forward before a series of pick-and-drives created the opening for Omalka Gunaratna to power over from close range. Nanayakkara added an excellent conversion from the corner to give the hosts the early advantage. (CR 07-00 Kandy)
Despite being a man down, Kandy responded with admirable resilience. A string of penalties conceded by CR allowed the visitors to gain territory, and their rolling maul began to assert control. Quick, close-quarter phases disrupted the defence before Lock Thilina Bandara found space to dive over. Zumri calmly slotted the conversion to level the scores. (CR 07-07 Kandy)
CR struggled to regain momentum as the penalty count mounted, enabling Kandy to continue applying pressure through their forward dominance. Opting repeatedly for the corner, the visitors built another sustained assault through pick-and-drives. Spotting space on the blindside, skipper Tharindu Chaturanga broke away to score, with Aruna Perera adding the extras to put Kandy ahead. (CR 07-14 Kandy)
Kandy entered halftime with a seven-point cushion, having overturned an early deficit with a composed and determined display despite their numerical disadvantage.
Half Time: CR & FC 07 (1T,1C) – Kandy SC 14 (2T,2C)
The home side reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute when Thenuka Nanayakkara calmly slotted a straightforward penalty following a scrum infringement, keeping CR & FC within one score in a tense Grand Final. (CR 10-14 Kandy)
CR soon capitalised on momentum after winning a crucial penalty. Opting for the corner, they set up a rolling maul before shifting to a series of quick, direct carries. The ball was then moved wide at pace, with Chathura Senevirathne executing a sharp pass to Chemod Muthunayake, who gathered at speed and crossed the line to put CR back in front. (CR 15-14 Kandy)
What followed was a gripping arm wrestle, with both sides creating opportunities but unable to add to the scoreboard. The deadlock was broken by a moment of individual brilliance from Viduna Amaneth, who sliced through the Kandy defence after collecting a clever grubber from Shahid Zumri, beating three defenders with sheer pace to score and keep the contest finely balanced. (CR 20-14 Kandy)
Kandy responded in spectacular fashion. Zumri produced a delicate kick over the defensive line, which Diluksha Dange chased down brilliantly before gathering and diving over. Aruna Perera added the conversion to edge Kandy ahead by a single point, setting up a grandstand finish. (CR 20-21 Kandy)
With time almost up, CR mounted one final assault. Skipper Lasindu Karunathilake produced a vital turnover to win a penalty and immediately took a quick tap, catching the defence off guard. Phases later, Enesi Waqanisau surged forward and was met with a high tackle directly in front of the posts. Nanayakkara held his nerve to slot the decisive kick — the final act of the season — sealing a dramatic victory and the league title for CR & FC, their third triumph over Kandy this season.
Full Time: CR & FC 23 (3T,1C,2P) – Kandy SC 21 (3T,3C)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Thenuka Nanayakkara (CR & FC)
Points Breakdown
CR & FC 23
Omalka Gunaratna 1T, Chemod Muthunayake 1T, Viduna Amaneth 1T,Thenuka Nanayakkara 1C,2P
Kandy SC 21
Thilina Bandara 1T, Tharindu Chaturanga 1T, Diluksha Dange 1T, Shaheed Zumri 1C, Aruna Perera 2C
