CH&FC continued their red hot run of form as they overcame a stubborn soldiers outfit to notch up another bonus point victory and continue their title charge in the Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League (2nd January 2026).
It was the forwards of the Sri Lankan Army, who have been impressive all season, who flexed their muscles early on. Buddhi Sreemantha opened the scoring in the 5th minute after a Suddharaka Dikkumbura break allowed the forwards to attack from the fringes. Vinod Kumar doubled up five minutes later, after piling the pressure with more textbook pick and go’s from the forwards. Both conversions were missed. (SLA 10 – 00 CH&FC)
The Gymkhana Club then hit back emphatically as they pulled back two scores in the space of three minutes with some counter-attacking Rugby. They opened their account through Maliksha Perera, who touched down after a lovely inside ball from Roshen Kumara. Kavindu Yasas added the second after a Janindu Dilshan run cut open the Army defence. Yasas converted both tries to give his side the lead for the first time. (SLA 10-14 CH&FC)
The kicking woes continued for the Soldiers as they missed a regulation three-pointer and the visitors made them pay almost immediately. This time their forwards asserted their dominance at the scrum with a massive shove, before Lahiru Thilakartna broke away to dot down for the third try. (SLA 10 – 19 CH&FC)
The Soldiers added one more score before the break through Vinod Kumar, who took a quick tap to catch CH&FC napping after a string of penalties and touched down. Dinesh Victor converted to make it a two-point game going into the breather.
Half Time: Sri Lanka Army 17(3T, 1C) – CH&FC 19 (3T, 2C)
The Gymkhana Club secured their bonus point seven minutes into the second half when Prasath Madushanka made an immediate impact off the bench, when he dotted down after the soldiers failed to guard the blindside off a 5 metre lineout. (SLA 17 – 24 CH&FC)
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The home team then grew into the game once again through their ever reliable forwards. After another string of penalties around the 5 metre line, Vinod Kumar barged through to complete his hattrick, a crucial conversion was missed. (SLA 22 – 24 CH&FC)
CH&FC were guilty of an infringement at the breakdown, giving away a penalty in kicking distance. Dinesh Victor stepped up to add three points and give the Soldiers the lead and set up a tantalising finish. (SLA 25 – 24 CH&FC)
The tension grew at Panagoda as the clock approached the 65th minute. CH&FC then began their surge after an inside ball from Randy Silva sent Devinda Rathnayake on his way. Janith Chandimal came off the bench to convert. (SLA 25 – 31 CH&FC)
Chandimal then got a score of his own after the visitors worked their way out of their own red zone, showing great continuity of play. They worked it swiftly from right to left to leave the defence scrambling and send Chandimal on his way. He converted his own score to buy breathing room between the sides. (SLA 25 -38 CH&FC)
Prasath Madushanka added the cherry on top with a minute left on the clock after breaking from another textbook rolling maul.
CH&FC travel to Havelock Park next week for a high stakes clash, while the soldiers will welcome a winless Navy outfit to Panagoda.
Full Time: Sri Lanka Army 25 (4T ,1C, 1P) – CH&FC 43 (7T, 4C)
Swisstek Perfect Player of the Match – Devinda Rathnyake (CH&FC)
Points Breakdown
Sri Lanka Army – 25
Vinod Kumar – 3T, Buddi Sreemantha – 1T, Dinesh Victor – 1C, 1P
CH&FC – 43
Maliksha Perera – 1T, Kavindu Yasas – 1T,2C, Lahiru Thilakartna – 1T, Prasath Madushanka – 2T, Janith Chandimal – 1T, 2C, Devinda Rathnyake – 1T
