After a two-week pause due to severe floods and landslides that impacted large parts of the country, the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 resumed with a gripping Week Five that delivered drama, resilience, and statement performances. From Sri Lanka Army’s long-awaited first win to a classic CH–CR thriller, Air Force’s continued unbeaten run, and champions Kandy roaring back at home, the league returned with unmistakable intensity.
Army Rally Late to Secure First Win of the Season
Full Time: Siri Lions SC 17–26 Sri Lanka Army
Sri Lanka Army Rugby Team finally opened their account with a hard-fought comeback victory at Longdon Place. Siri Lions dominated the opening quarter with early tries, but Army gradually asserted control through their powerful maul. Tries from Ijaz Ahamed and Nalaka Maduranga brought the visitors level at the break before Army took charge in the second half. Naveen Chandrasena and Vinod Kumara crossed as Army’s forwards proved decisive, while Dinesh Victor delivered a solid performance from the tee as they seal a bonus-point win.
>>Army comeback to secure first win of the season<<
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Ijaz Ahamed (Army)
Late Penalty Drama Sees CH Snatch Thriller from CR
Full Time: CH & FC 34–32 CR & FC
In the game of the week, CH & FC held their nerve to edge CR & FC in a pulsating contest at Longdon Place. The lead changed hands repeatedly as both sides traded attacking blows, with CR securing both a try and losing bonus point. Skipper Janith Chandimal was ice-cool under pressure, landing a series of crucial penalties — including the decisive kick in the dying minutes — to deny CR a dramatic comeback and hand CH a famous victory.
>>Kandy SC thump Police SC with a second-half burst<<
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Janith Chandimal (CH & FC)
Airmen March On as Navy Fall Short Again
Full Time: Air Force SC 28–14 Navy SC
Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club extended their unbeaten streak with another composed display, overcoming a determined Navy outfit at Ratmalana. Playing smartly with the wind, Air Force built early control through Gayantha Iddamalgoda’s accurate boot before tries from Maleesha Weerakoon and Shamika Kaushan established control. Navy responded after the break, but Air Force closed the contest late through Shashika Fernando, with Iddamalgoda once again influential throughout.
>>Chandimal’s brilliant bootwork, helps CH to edge out CR at Longdon Place<<
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force SC)
Champions Kandy Explode After Break to Crush Police
Full Time: Kandy SC 49–17 Police SC
Defending champions Kandy Sports Club produced a devastating second-half performance to overwhelm Police Sports Club in their first home game after the break. After trailing at halftime, Kandy shifted gears with relentless forward pressure and dazzling backline play. Tries flowed through Dahan Wickramaarachchi, Dilshan Fareed, Kenula Hettiarachchi, Asiri Seneviratne, and a double from Kavindu Perera, with Srinath Sooriyabandara orchestrating the onslaught in a commanding display.
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Srinath Sooriyabandara (Kandy SC)
The upcoming Week 06 fixtures are as follows:
- Havelock Sports Club vs Air Force Sports Club – Havelock Park (19 Dec)
- Navy Sports Club vs CR & FC – Welisara (20 Dec)
- Siri Lions Sports Club vs Police Sports Club – Longden Place (20 Dec)
- Kandy Sports Club vs CH & FC – Nittawela (21 Dec)
All matches are scheduled for kick-off at 3.00 PM.
