In a spectacle of high-octane rugby that kept the crowd at the CR & FC Grounds on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, CR & FC secured a hard-fought victory over the Air Force Sports Club. The Red Shirts managed to hold off a late, ferocious surge from the Airmen to book their place in the final of the Clifford Cup Knockout Rugby Tournament for the 2025/2026 season.
Air Force legend Gayantha Iddamalgoda started the high-stake encounter with a deep kickoff. During the initial phase of play CR enjoyed much possession and also the territorial advantage. Suddenly the Kenyan referee Lorence Kiunga spotted a not-rolling-away offence by the airmen. In the meantime the Air Force had a major blow to their game plans as their playmaker and regular placekicker Iddamalgoda suffered from a severe injury after a short stint of play. As he was replaced, Thenuka Nanayakkara nailed a regular penalty attempt amid the cheer of the fans who were gathered in numbers at Longdon Place. (CR 03 – 00 Air Force)
After a few moments, Red Shirts were penalised for an off-feet play when they had possession. But Air Force’s second-choice placekicker Kaveesha Kaluarachchi missed a regulation chance after opting to kick at the posts. Later, the airmen had a five-metre lineout after receiving a penalty. There the referee called for an advantage as CR committed an illegal entry after a maul had formed. Under a penalty advantage, the Air Force went for a cross kick towards the blindside winger but couldn’t get any success. It was followed by another five-metre lineout, and this time tighthead prop Nirmal Wickramasinghe crossed the whitewash by pushing and beating three CR defenders to get the first try of the encounter. Kaveesha Kaluarachchi nailed the conversion to extend the lead. (CR 03 – 07 Air Force)
CR initiated another fantastic play as Manilka Ruberu made a fine kick from their own half to earn a 50-22 lineout. Afterwards, the Red Shirts launched a heavy attack on the airmen, and suddenly the foreign grit Saula Bilvanua made a vital break and almost reached the whitewash. During the next phase, Chathura Senevirathne barged his way towards the left corner flag but did well enough to ground the ball for their first try of the game. Then Thenuka Nanayakkara nailed the conversion from a difficult angle by displaying his class again in this crucial game. (CR 10 – 07 Air Force)
At once, CR made a fine clearance kick right into Air Force’s 22-metre area, and Iddamalgoda did well to grab it. But there was a knock-on after making a nippy pass to Kaluarachchi, and CR punched on the loose ball as the speedster, Pasindu Bandara, ran his way towards another try after a couple of quick passes. Thenuka Nanayakkara continued to impress the home fans with another excellent conversion. (CR 17 – 07 Air Force)
After the restart, CR tried to attack from their own half and paid the price as Bilvanua was caught for not releasing the ball. Unfortunately, Kaluarachchi missed another sitter. Later, Manilka Ruberu made a strong statement by nailing another 50-22 kick to earn his side an advantageous attacking position. A trademark CR & FC rolling maul was followed, and the referee continued the play under an advantage because the Airmen illegally collapsed it. After earning another five-metre lineout, CR attacked with another tightly bound and strong maul, and the play was executed numerous times in the league, repeatedly staged as the No. 08 Omalka Gunarathne broke from behind to plant the third try of the hosts. (CR 22 – 07 Air Force)
It was no longer when the referee blew the whistle for the lemons while the hosts were enjoying a comfortable lead.
Halftime : CR & FC 22 (3T, 2C, 1P) – 07 Air Force (1T, 1C)
CR also made a deep kickoff to launch the actions in the second half but made an early mistake with a high tackle. After a few minutes of play, CR gave away an unnecessary penalty for a no-arm tackle. After having a couple of miserable opportunities Kaveesha Kaluarachchi finally nailed a penalty to cut the deficit. (CR 22 – 10 Air Force)
Later the Air Force looked more settled and pressured CR, tempting them to make some mistakes, and the referee blew for a side entry which gave a five-metre lineout throw for the visitors. Then the Airmen formed a solid maul and started to move forward by giving a chance for CR to taste their own medicine. After bulldozing their way, the gigantic forward Shamika Kaushan barged from behind to plant another try for the visitors to electrify the game, which looked like a dead rubber in the first half. Unluckily, Kaluarachchi’s fine conversion kick hit the upright bar and went away. (CR 22 – 15 Air Force)
When the hosts were under tremendous pressure, CR three-quarters stood tall up to the occasion and displayed their attacking flair. After receiving a scrum in the midway, Chamod Bandara and Zubair Doray made a couple of brilliant breaks and brought the play near to the whitewash. Then the CR skipper, Lasindu Karunathilake, came to the act at the right time by piercing a gap to plant a crucial try in the context of the game. Nanayakara made no mistake with the conversion. (CR 29 – 15 Air Force)
A crunching play followed, and the hosts tried their best to hold their nerve and to keep their lead while the visitors vigorously attacked to cut the deficit as soon as they could. At a crucial juncture of the game CR’s powering player, Omalka Gunarathna, was sin-binned for killing the game at the deck by making things more interesting. But the spirited CR defence was unshaken against a couple of well-executed rolling mauls and finally able to get out of the jail after turning the ball at a five-metre lineout.
During the final phase of the game, the Airmen received a penalty in the opposition half for closing the gap at a lineout. Further, their course was eased after receiving another penalty for an offside offence. Then the airmen attacked with a fierce pick-and-drive passage by giving a tough outing for the hosts. The determined play of the Air Force was finally paid off as their second rower Pathum Pieris crossed the try line by keeping a good body position and pushing a couple of defenders. Then Kaluarachchi made a fine conversion under pressure by bringing the deficit down to a margin of a converted try. (CR 29 – 22 Air Force)
The dying stage of the game was a testament to the champion spirit of the CR, as they kept calm under pressure to perform brilliantly. Though the airmen were knocked out of the competition, their second-half resurgence should definitely be praised. The final scoreline of 29 – 22 does little justice to the breathless intensity of the semi-final clash. It was a game defined by tactical kicking, blistering runs, bone-crushing defence, and moments of individual brilliance that ultimately tipped the scales in favour of the Longden Park club.
Full time : CR & FC 29 (4T, 3C, 1P) – 22 Air Force (3T, 2C, 1P)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Senura Perera (CR & FC)
Points Breakdown
CR & FC – 29
Chathura Senevirathne 1 T, Pasindu Bandara 1 T, Omalka Gunarathne 1 T, Lasindu Karunathilake 1 T, Thenuka Nanayakkara 3 C, 1 P
Air Force SC – 22
Nirmal Wickrmasinghe 1 T, Shamika Kaushan 1 T, Pathum Pieris 1 T, Kaveesha Kaluarachchi 2C, 1P
