Sri Lanka Army produced a thrilling comeback after trailing at Half Time, to edge Navy Sports Club in a high-scoring 41–38 contest in their Week 09 clash of the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26, held at the Army Grounds in Panagoda.
Sri Lanka Army hosted Navy SC in an all-forces clash, with both sides eager to bounce back after narrow defeats last week. Navy conceded a string of early penalties, allowing Army to build pressure deep in the attacking zone. Kicking to the corner, the hosts set up a rolling maul, and the drive proved too strong as Nalin Kumara broke away from the back to score the opening try. Dinesh Victor converted from a difficult angle to give Army the ideal start. (Army 07 – 00 Navy)
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Navy’s struggles continued when a handling error from Isuru Perera gifted possession to Army. Flanker Udara Randeniya pounced on the loose ball and drove play into the 22 before the hosts shifted wide, enabling winger Tharinda Chandrasena to finish in the corner for Army’s second try. (Army 12 – 00 Navy)
The Sailors finally responded from a scrum, executing a sharp move off the base. A strong No. 8 carry and quick recycling stretched the Army defence, and crisp hands out wide sent Chanaka Jayalath over in the corner to open Navy’s account. (Army 12 – 05 Navy)
Momentum swung further Navy’s way soon after as their backs again showed slick handling. Jayalath broke through before releasing Thilina Weerasinghe, who sprinted 40 metres untouched to score and convert, cutting the deficit to just two points. (Army 12 – 10 Navy)
Army steadied themselves by slowing the tempo and working through the forwards, but a loose pass from No. 8 Vinod Kumar was intercepted by centre Chirantha Kaluarachchi, who raced 60 metres to score under the posts. Weerasinghe added the conversion, giving Navy the lead at the break.
Half Time: Sri Lanka Army 12 (2T, 2C) – Navy SC 17 (3T, 1C)
Navy carried their momentum into the second half, striking early through some excellent work from scrum-half Koojana Kulathunga, whose break and offload sent hooker Pradeep Ranaweera crashing over. Weerasinghe added the conversion to extend Navy’s lead. (Army 12 – 24 Navy)
Army were handed a lifeline soon after when a late charge conceded a penalty. Kicking to the corner, the hosts executed a well-worked lineout move, with No. 8 Vinod Kumar drawing defenders before releasing Nalin Kumara, who crossed for his second try. (Army 17 – 24 Navy)
Momentum then swung decisively Army’s way as Navy conceded a string of penalties. A quick tap close to the line caught the defence off guard, allowing Nalaka Maduranga to barge over. Straight from the restart, Army struck again when Dinesh Victor broke the line and offloaded to Lahiru Rathnayaka, who scored under the posts and converted to restore Army’s lead. (Army 29 – 24 Navy)
Army continued to apply pressure, with Skipper Sudharaka Dikkubura sparking another attack that ended with Maduranga claiming his second try. Victor converted to stretch the advantage further. Navy’s task became harder when they were reduced to fourteen men, and Army capitalised immediately as Udara Randeniya finished off a rolling maul. (Army 41 – 24 Navy)
Navy mounted a late fightback through tries from Lepani Thivanuavou and Skipper Denuwan Wickramarachchi, the latter following a sweeping move after a 50–22 to set up a tense finish. However, despite sustained late pressure and Army being held up over the line, the hosts showed composure to close out a thrilling encounter.
Full Time: Sri Lanka Army 41 (7T, 3C) – Navy SC 38 (6T, 4C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Nalaka Maduranga (Sri Lanka Army)
Points Breakdown
Sri Lanka Army 41
Nalin Kumara 2T, Tharinda Chandrasena 1T, Nalaka Maduranga 2T, Udara Randeniya 1T, Lahiru Rathnayake 1T,1C, Dinesh Victor 2C
Navy SC 38
Chanaka Jayalath 1T, Chirantha Kaluarachchi 1T, Pradeep Ranaweera 1T, Lepani Thivanuavou 1T, Denuwan Wickramarachchi 1T, Thilina Weerasinghe 1T,1C, Stephan Sansoni 2C
