The resumption of the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 after 2 weeks, saw Air Force Sports Club taking on Navy Sports Club at the Air Force Grounds in Ratmalana in a week 5 fixture. This was an important fixture for both teams, as Air Force were looking to continue their unbeaten streak, and Navy were searching for their first win of the season.
The game kicked off with the Air Men playing with the wind. Navy had their chances early on. Just 3 minutes into the game, the sailors scored a try in the left hand side corner, only to be brought back due to a forward pass in the passage of play leading up to it.
The game took a slow approach after the initial break away. The teams were trying to get back into their groove after the break. Air Force were forcing the errors on the sailors by using the wind advantage. A few handling errors and penalties led to Air Force getting an opportunity to get the first points on the board through the boot of Gayantha Iddamalgoda. The first points took around 20 minutes to come. (Air Force S.C. 03 – 00 Navy S.C.)
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A few minutes later, the Air Force attack started to become aggressive. The forwards and their game play opened up the doors for many scoring opportunities. A lovely running line from Maleesha Weerakoon saw him pierce the Navy defense and catch them off guard as he went over for the first try of the game. (Air Force S.C. 10 – 00 Navy S.C.)
5 minutes out from half time, Navy needed to score to stay in the game. However there was no stopping the Air Force attack. A well planned front peel off the lineout, opened up a gap for the hooker Shamika Kaushan who dived over in the corner. (Air Force S.C. 15 – 00 Navy S.C.)
Air Force wanted to go into the break with a comfortable lead. The sailors were once again guilty of handing too many penalties away, as Iddamalgoda slotted over another three pointer just on the stroke of half time.
Half Time – Air Force S.C. 18 (2T,1C,2P) vs Navy S.C. 00
Navy had to open the scoring in this half, and so they did. Air Force were cut down to 14 men, after prop forward Pathum Pieris was sent to the bin for a high shot. Some quick ruck ball, and slick ball handling opened up a gap out wide for Chirantha Kaluarachchi to score Navy’s first try. Thilina Weerasinghe made no mistake with the conversion from the tough angle. (Air Force S.C. 18 – 07 Navy S.C.)
But, as it was in the game against Kandy, the penalty count from Navy was at an all time high, which allowed Air Force to still be in the contest. Gayantha Iddamalgoda slotted over another 3 pointer, and kept a decent gap between his team and their opponents.
It took a while for the next score to come for the sailors. It came from their No. 8 Isuru Perera, eventually. A quick lineout move opened the space for him to run right through a lazy Air Force defense. With all his experience Thilina Weerasinghe added the 2 for Navy. (Air Force S.C. 21 – 14 Navy S.C.)
But the Air men had the final say in the game. Despite declining the 3 pointer, Air Force managed to go all the way and score a try. Shashika Fernando put in a commanding run towards the line, to seal the deal for the Air Men. Iddamalgoda wrapped this up with a successful conversion, to complete a good day at the office for him.
Full Time – Air Force S.C. 28 (3T,2C,3P) vs Navy S.C. 14 (2T, 2C)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force S.C.)
