The Sri Lanka Army Rugby team managed a comeback in both halves, as they dismantled Siri Lions 17 (3T 1C) – 26 (4T 3C) as the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League restarted on the 12th of December at Longdon Place.
Siri Lions started off the game on the front foot, scoring twice first through Dilanjaya Yohan and through Nizran Nilar as Army were staring down the barrel 25 minutes into the game.
Dilshan Madushanka failed with the conversion on the first time of asking, however, made no mistake on the second kick as Army were staring down the barrel early on. (Lions 12-00 Army)
It took Army 25 minutes to find their footing in the game and from then on the first half went only their way.
34 minutes into the game Army scored after a rumbling maul paved the way for Ijaz Ahamed to crash over a few phases later.
The first try went unconverted by Lahiru Rathnayake. (Lions 12-05 Army)
With time upon us on the first half, Army mounted one final attack to ensure they went into lemons all square.
Another unstoppable rolling maul, ended with Nalaka Maduranga diving over past the 40-minute mark.
Dinesh Victor added the extras as the two teams went in, deadlocked at 12-points each.
Half time: Siri Lions 12 (2T 1C)- 12 (2T 1C) Sri Lanka Army Rugby Team
The home team started off the second half in similar fashion, scoring first, this time with a well worked attack from the three-quarters.
Teran Karunanayake added the finishing touches to a lovely cut-out pass as Siri Lions pulled ahead once more. The extras were not added but the Lions gained a 5-point lead. (Lions 17-12 Army)
Naveen Chandrasena ensured that Army trailed for less than 10-minutes as he crashed over from close range as the Lions forwards failed to cope up with Army’s power up front.
Victor added the extras to take the lead for the first time in the game as the visitors finally seemed to find their rhythm. (Lions 17-19 Army)
The game was evenly poised however neither team was able to add any further points till the 78th minute of the game.
The Army Maul was a thorn in the flesh of Siri Lions and that was the way the visitors exploited the home sides defence.
Breaking off yet another maul, this time it was Vinod Kumara as he was unstoppable from close range, diving over to secure the game and with it the bonus point win.
Victor added the extras as he continued his flawless evening off the tee as Army registered their first win of the Maliban Inter Club Rugby League 2025/26.
Full Time: Siri Lions 17 (2T 1C) lost to Sri Lanka Army Rugby Team 26 (4T 3C)
Swisstec Perfect Player of the Match: Ijaz Ahamed (Army)
Points Breakdown:
Siri Lions: Dilanjaya Yohan 1T, Nizran Nilar 1T, Teran Karunanayake 1T, Dilshan Madushanka 1C
Sri Lanka Army Rugby Team: Lahiru Rathnayake 1T, Nalaka Maduranga 1T, Naveen Chandrasena 1T, Vinod Kumara 1T, Dinesh Victor 3C
 – 26 (4T 3C) as the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League restarted on the 12th of December at Longdon Place.){kind=link}