CR & FC completed a remarkable domestic double after edging traditional rivals Havelocks Sports Club 12 – 10 in a tense Maliban Clifford Cup Knockout 2026 Final at Longdon Place.
The final game of the domestic Rugby season saw League champions CR & FC chase a coveted double as they hosted traditional Colombo rivals Havelocks Sports Club in the prestigious Maliban Clifford Cup Knockout Final at a packed Longdon Place under lights. The Park Club entered the contest high on confidence after their Semi Final triumph over Kandy, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
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The Havelocks struck first in the 4th minute when they were awarded a penalty for a late tackle. Fly-half Samuel Maduwantha stepped up and confidently slotted a long-range 47-metre kick to give the visitors an early lead. Moments later, Maduwantha had another opportunity to extend the advantage, but his second attempt drifted wide of the uprights. (CR 00 – 03 Havelocks)
CR & FC gradually settled after the early pressure and soon found their rhythm. The hosts earned a breakdown penalty just outside their own 22, and Thenuka Nanayakkara made no mistake, calmly bisecting the uprights to level the scores. (CR 03 – 03 Havelocks)
The momentum soon shifted in favour of the league champions. A few minutes later, CR were awarded another penalty following an offside infringement, and Nanayakkara once again stepped up to land the kick and hand the home side the lead. (CR 06 – 03 Havelocks)
The remainder of the half developed into a tense arm wrestle. CR enjoyed early territorial dominance in the second quarter, while the Havelocks controlled possession in the latter stages, but both defensive units stood firm. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the teams went into the Half Time break with CR & FC holding a slender advantage.
Half Time: CR & FC 06 (2P) – Havelocks SC 03 (1P)
The second half began much like the first had ended, with both sides locked in a tense battle for territory and possession. For nearly twenty minutes, neither team was able to break through the opposing defence, as the contest remained a physical arm wrestle.
CR & FC finally found momentum around the hour mark, increasing the tempo with a series of quick phases. Their pressure paid off when the Havelocks were penalised for offside, allowing Thenuka Nanayakkara to calmly slot an easy penalty and extend the hosts’ lead to six points. (CR 09 – 03 Havelocks)
The Red Shirts continued to control possession and territory as the game entered the final quarter. A powerful rolling maul brought them within metres of the Havelocks try line, but a determined defence from the Park Club prevented the score. However, sustained pressure eventually forced another breakdown infringement in the 70th minute, and Nanayakkara again made no mistake from the tee to stretch the lead further as the match moved into its closing stages. (CR 12 – 03 Havelocks)
The Havelocks mounted a late surge in the final five minutes after Saula Billivanua was penalised for a high tackle. Kicking to the corner, the visitors set up a rolling maul that was initially halted, but a subsequent infringement from Achitha Radeeshan resulted in a yellow card. From the ensuing lineout, Havelocks launched another driving maul that surged towards the line, forcing CR into another infringement which resulted in a penalty try, narrowing the gap to just two points in the dying moments.
Despite the late drama, CR & FC held their nerve in the closing exchanges to secure a hard-fought victory and complete a remarkable double — lifting both the league title and the Clifford Cup to cap a perfect season for the Red Shirts.
Full Time: CR & FC 12 (4P) – Havelocks SC 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Mursheed Zubair (CR & FC)
Points Breakdown
CR & FC 12
Thenuka Nanayakkara 4P
Havelocks SC 10
Samuel Maduwantha 1P, Penalty try
