CH & FC snatched a dramatic last-gasp penalty to secure a thrilling 34-all draw against defending champions Kandy Sports Club in a pulsating Week One Super Round Cup segment clash of the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2025/26, played at the Racecourse Grounds.
The hosts struck first after 17 minutes of bruising rugby, with skipper Janindu Dilshan igniting the move by breaking the defensive line. CH pushed deep into Kandy territory, earned a penalty, and opted for a scrum inside the 10-metre area. From the first phase, playmaker Mohamed Abzal sold a neat dummy, drew in two defenders, and offloaded to Thanuja Maduranga, who crashed over under the posts. Janith Chandimal added the conversion to give the hosts an early lead. (CH 07-00 Kandy)
- First Round Concludes with CR on top as Super Round beckons
- Havelocks stun CR & FC in Super Round Opener
- Kandy end First Round in emphatic style against Army
- Spirited second half rally by Airmen, was not enough to crack through the CH defense
Kandy responded immediately after the restart when Deshan Vimukthi was penalized for holding on. The visitors chose to take the three points, with Hirusha Sampath calmly slotting the penalty to reduce the deficit. (CH 07-03 Kandy)
Momentum swung back CH’s way when Kandy was reduced to 14 men following a high tackle by Dinal Ekanayake. Making full use of the numerical advantage, CH mauled their way deep into attacking territory before spreading the ball wide to the corner, where Samitha Warnakulasooriya finished clinically. (CH 12-03 Kandy)
Kandy hit back once more as CH conceded a series of quick penalties. Veteran campaigner Srinath Sooriyabandara took a quick tap, powered through three defenders, and dotted down. Sampath converted to narrow the gap to just two points. (CH 12-10 Kandy)
CH answered in emphatic fashion soon after, first charging down a kick and then launching a counter-attack from the ensuing goal-line dropout. Powerful forward Koli Thamanikalu punched through the line to bring play within five meters, before quick ball was shifted wide to Janith Chandimal, who sliced through two defenders to score. He converted his own try to extend CH’s lead. (CH 19-10 Kandy)
On the stroke of half-time, Kandy mounted another assault after entering the CH 22 through successive penalties. Sustained forward carries created space out wide, and centre Akash Madushanka showed his strength to barge through the final defender and score in the corner. Sampath produced a superb conversion from the touchline, ensuring Kandy went into the break right in the contest.
Half Time: CH & FC 19 (3T,2C) – Kandy SC 17 (2T,2C,1P)
The home side, after weathering the early exchanges, capitalized on a Kandy penalty to build sustained pressure inside the 22. Opting for the corner, their rolling maul functioned to perfection, rumbling to within five meters before No. 8 Koli Thamanikalu peeled off the back to crash over for the bonus-point try. (CH 24-17 Kandy)
Kandy was then gifted a lifeline when CH, in possession after several phases, saw playmaker Mohamed Abzal fumble the ball. Diluksha Dange reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball and racing away for an easy try under the posts. Hirusha Sampath added the conversion to level the scores. (CH 24-24 Kandy)
With the contest finely poised, Kandy conceded a penalty just outside their 22. CH opted for the three, but Janith Chandimal pushed the attempt wide. He soon made amends with a superb 50–22, and from the resulting line-out, CH’s rolling maul once again made significant ground towards the try line. A maul infringement by Charles Praveen was deemed cynical, resulting in a yellow card and the awarding of a penalty try to the hosts. (CH 31-24 Kandy)
Kandy responded in the 70th minute after securing a line-out just outside the CH 22. The backs moved the ball swiftly across the field, with slick hands from Shahid Zumri and Sampath creating space for Akash Madushanka, who finished brilliantly in the corner for his second try of the match. Sampath nailed a difficult conversion from the touchline to make it 31–all. (CH 31-31 Kandy)
Moments later, Kandy edged ahead when CH were penalized for offside, allowing Hirusha Sampath to calmly slot a pressure kick that bisected the uprights after grazing the left post. However, CH refused to fold, earning a series of penalties deep into stoppage time. After turning down earlier shots at goal, they finally opted for points on the third attempt, with Janith Chandimal showing nerves of steel to level the scores once again.
The contest ended in a thrilling draw, mirroring the result from the reverse fixture in Kandy. Kandy Sports Club remain atop the standings, with CH & FC close behind in second place, as the Maliban Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League moves into the second week of the Super Round next weekend.
Full Time: – CH & FC 34 (5T,3C,1P) – Kandy SC 34 (4T,4C,2P)
Swisstek Player of the Match: Janindu Dilshan (CH & FC)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC 34
Thanuja Maduranga 1T, Samitha Warnakulasooriya 1T, Koli Thamanikalu 1T, Penalty Try, Janith Chandimal 1T,3C,1P
Kandy SC 34
Srinath Sooriyabandara 1T, Akash Madushanka 2T, Diluksha Dange 1T, Hirusha Sampath 4C,2P
