Week 09 of the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26 delivered one of the most compelling weekends of the season, highlighted by CR & FC’s gritty triumph over defending champions Kandy Sports Club at Nittawela. Elsewhere, Havelock Sports Club produced a ruthless display to end CH & FC’s unbeaten run, Sri Lanka Army edged Navy in a pulsating encounter, while Air Force powered past Siri Lions to stay firmly in the top-four hunt. With the league table tightening, the title race has taken a dramatic turn.
Cr & Fc end Kandy’s home reign in rain-soaked thriller
Full Time: Kandy SC 20 – CR & FC 25
CR & FC delivered a massive statement by conquering Nittawela in treacherous conditions to defeat reigning champions Kandy Sports Club. The visitors struck early through a Thenuka Nanayakkara penalty, before No. 8 Enesi Waqanisau powered over from a rolling maul to give CR early control.
Kandy responded with tries from Dilshan Fareed and Dinal Ekanayake, but errors in the wet proved costly. Naveen Marasinghe capitalised just before Half Time, and Nanayakkara’s accuracy kept CR ahead at the break. Despite heavy rain, CR’s discipline and territorial control stood out.
The second half saw CR extend their lead with a penalty and a well-worked try finished by Nanayakkara himself. Kandy mounted late pressure and were awarded a penalty try, but CR held firm, sealing victory with a crucial lineout steal by Ravindu Anjula to move to the top of the standings.
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Enesi Waqanisau (CR & FC)
Six-Try Havelocks blow CH & FC away
Full Time: Havelocks SC 39 – CH & FC 05
Havelock Sports Club produced a commanding all-round performance to dismantle previously unbeaten CH & FC at the Havelock Grounds. Winger Jayathu Rajarathna opened the scoring before Samuel Maduwantha added points despite mixed success off the tee.
CH briefly threatened through Janith Chandimal, but Havelocks’ superior physicality and defensive organisation kept the visitors under pressure. Tries from Yehan Bulathsinghalage and a powerful rolling maul effort extended the hosts’ Half Time lead.
The second half belonged entirely to the Pink Army as Rajarathna completed a brace, Janidu Wijerathne sliced through the defence, and Rifan Mohommed capped off a flowing backline move to seal a comprehensive six-try victory.
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Udesh Madushanka (Havelocks SC)
Second-Half surge sees Army outgun Navy
Full Time: Sri Lanka Army 41 – Navy SC 38
Sri Lanka Army staged a thrilling second-half comeback to edge Navy Sports Club in an all-forces classic at Panagoda. Army started strongly through tries from Nalin Kumara and Tharinda Chandrasena, but Navy hit back with pace and precision to lead at Half Time.
The Sailors extended their advantage early in the second half, but Army responded through powerful forward play and quick taps, with Nalaka Maduranga and Lahiru Rathnayaka swinging momentum decisively.
Despite late Navy tries from Lepani Thivanuavou and Skipper Denuwan Wickramarachchi, Army held their nerve in the closing moments to secure a crucial victory in one of the games of the season.
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Nalaka Maduranga (Sri Lanka Army)
Kaushan hat-trick powers Air Force to convincing win
Full Time: Siri Lions SC 18 – Air Force SC 39
Air Force Sports Club kept their top-four ambitions alive with a dominant win over the Siri Lions at Longdon Place. Overseas recruit Afa Sua opened the scoring, before Shamika Kaushan took control with a powerful display in the loose.
Kaushan crossed for a hat-trick as Air Force repeatedly breached the Siri Lions defence through rolling mauls and direct running. Despite resistance from Nadun Kaveesha and late consolation tries, the Lions were unable to contain Air Force’s physical edge.
The visitors sealed a convincing seven-try victory, underlining their growing momentum as the business end of the league approaches.
- Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match: Shamika Kaushan (Air Force SC)
The upcoming Week 10 fixtures are as follows:
- Police Sports Club vs Sri Lanka Army– Police Park (17 Jan)
- CR & FC vs Air Force Sports Club – Longdon Place (17 Jan)
- Siri Lions Sports Club vs CH & FC – Longdon Place (18 Jan)
- Kandy Sports Club vs Havelock Sports Club– Nittawela (18 Jan)
The CR & FC vs Airforce game will kick off 6.00 PM, and all other matches are scheduled for kick-off at 3.30 PM.
