The Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 kicked off today at the Air Force Ground in Ratmalana, where the host team, Air Force Sports Club, secured an impressive 36-15 victory over the formidable CH & FC Outfit.
Dinesh De Silva kicked off the curtain-raiser of a long Club Rugby League season for CH & FC, but the Airmen quickly asserted their dominance in the early exchanges. Their experienced forwards put on an impressive display, piling on the pressure and eventually capitalizing with a well-executed rolling maul. It was their stalwart No. 8, Saraka Weralla, who crossed the line to score the opening try of the season.
(AF 05–00 CH)
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The Gymkhana Club responded almost immediately in similar fashion, employing a rolling maul of their own. Nirosh Perera capitalized on the momentum, sniping over from the back of the maul to equalize the game.
(AF 05–05 CH)
Both kickers, having missed their earlier conversions, traded penalties as Gayantha Iddamalgoda edged the Airmen into a slender three-point lead. However, Dinesh De Silva responded with a penalty of his own just before halftime, leaving the game at a deadlock heading into the break.
Half Time: Air Force SC 08 (1T, 1P) – CH & FC 08 (1T, 1P)
The hosts flew out of the blocks in the second half, much like they did in the first, utilizing their forwards effectively to put the CH side under immense pressure. Their rolling maul gained valuable yards, and Air Force hooker Shamika Kaushan capitalized on a gap in the CH defense, darting into the left corner to score a crucial try.
(AF 15–08 CH)
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The Airmen continued to dominate the game, breaching the CH defense yet again. Former DS skipper Sehana Umagiliyahe, making his club debut, delivered a superb pass to fullback Ishara Madushan, who ran an excellent line to collect the ball and cross over for the team’s third try. Gayantha Iddamalgoda calmly added the extras to extend their lead.
(AF 22–08 CH)
CH & FC didn’t hold back, continuing to attack the Air Force defense, but the Airmen stood firm, holding them off for nearly 10 minutes. In the 70th minute, CH finally got their reward. Their backs executed a well-structured move, spreading the ball from right to left, allowing Nirosh Perera to stroll in for his second try. Dinesh De Silva nailed a perfect kick from the corner to add the conversion, keeping the game alive.
(AF 22–15 CH)
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The Airmen sealed the game in the 78th minute, as their forwards patiently executed a well-structured set of pick-and-drives, gaining valuable meters with each phase. Their skipper, Rumesh Wasantha, powered over after a strong carry, and Gayantha Iddamalgoda added the extras to extend their lead.
In the final move of the game, CH was on the attack, eyeing a bonus point, but a turnover by Sudath Bandara sparked a counterattack. Quick ball to winger Dharshana Dabare gave him a clear run to score under the posts, as the tiring CH defense couldn’t cope with Dabare’s pace. Iddamalgoda added the easy conversion, securing a convincing win for the Airmen in the curtain-raiser.
Full Time: Air Force SC 36 (5T, 4C, 1P) – CH & FC 15 (2T, 1C, 1P)
Player of the Match: Shamika Kaushan (Air Force SC)
Points Breakdown:
Air Force SC – 36
Saraka Weralla: 1T
Shamika Kaushan: 1T
Ishara Madushan: 1T
Rumesh Wasantha: 1T
Dharshana Dabare: 1T
Gayantha Iddamalgoda: 4C, 1P
CH & FC – 15
Nirosh Perera: 2T
Dinesh De Silva: 1C, 1P
