Air Force delivered a clinical display to defeat CH & FC 34–28 in a hard-fought Maliban Clifford Cup Knockout 2026 quarterfinal at the Royal Complex, securing a semi-final showdown with CR & FC.
CH & FC hosted newly crowned Plate champions Air Force to kick off the Quarterfinal stage of the Maliban Clifford Cup Knockout 2026, with fourth-placed CH taking on fifth-placed Air Force.
The hosts dominated the early exchanges, playing expansive rugby and capitalising on Air Force indiscipline. Kicking to the corner, CH’s driving maul delivered immediately, with Gimhana Silva peeling off the back to score. Janith Chandimal nailed a superb conversion from a difficult angle to make it a perfect start.(CH 07-00 Air Force)
Air Force responded in similar fashion. Two quick penalties carried them deep into the CH 22, and their rolling maul proved equally effective as Shamika Kaushan dived over on the blindside to reduce the deficit. (CH 07-05 Air Force)
CH struck back almost instantly. After securing a scrappy lineout, Maikshan Perera released Chandimal, who sliced through the defence before offloading to Petro Missaele. The centre’s powerful support run proved unstoppable as he crossed the line, with Chandimal adding another excellent conversion. (CH 14-05 Air Force)
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Air Force continued to threaten and were rewarded when a loose CH pass in attack was pounced on by Gayantha Iddamalgoda. His alert kick-and-chase caught the defence off guard, allowing him to regather and score a well-taken opportunistic try. (CH 14-10 Air Force)
CH maintained their attacking edge. Launching from near halfway, Chandimal delayed his pass before sending skipper Janindu Dilshan through a gap. The captain burst clear to score CH’s third try, with the conversion extending their lead. (CH 21-10 Air Force)
The Airmen refused to fade. A strong scrum break by Ishara Madushan set the platform, and after several phases, he created space out wide for Arosh Rathnayake to finish in the corner. (CH 21-15 Air Force)
Just before halftime, Air Force struck again. Kicking to the corner, they built pressure through a close-range maul, and Kaushan darted over for his second try. Iddamalgoda converted to cap a breathless first half.
Half Time: CH & FC 21 (3T,3C) – Air Force SC 22 (4T,C)
Straight from the restart, Air Force launched a counter-attack after earning a penalty near halfway. The ensuing territorial gain took them deep inside the CH 22, where they maintained quick phases. Gayantha Iddamalgoda then produced a clever kick over the defence, chased it down, and regathered to score his second try, extending the lead. (CH 21-27 Air Force)
CH & FC were forced to be patient, spending over 15 minutes pressing the Air Force line through quick taps and repeated scrums. The Airmen defence held firm until the 58th minute, when No. 08 Gimhana Silva broke powerfully from the base of a scrum, shrugging off multiple defenders to score. Janith Chandimal added the conversion to keep CH within reach. (CH 28-27 Air Force)
However, Air Force had the final say. Relying on their trademark rolling maul, they marched forward before hooker Shamila Kaushan broke off down the short side to cross the whitewash for his hat-trick. Gayantha Iddamalgoda’s flawless conversion sealed the quarterfinal victory, sending Air Force through to face CR & FC in the semi-final.
Full Time: CH & FC 28 (4T,4C) – Air Force SC 34 (6T,2C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force SC)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC 28
Gimhana Silva 2T, Petro Missaele 1T, Janindu Dilshan 1T, Janith Chandimal 4C
Air Force SC 34
Shamika Kaushan 3T, Arosh Rathnayake 1T, Gayantha Iddamalgoda 2T,2C
