The Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League moved into the Super Round this week, and it delivered immediate drama across both the Cup and Plate segments. Havelock Sports Club produced the shock of the round by stunning table-toppers CR & FC, while CH & FC and Kandy Sports Club served up yet another instant classic, playing out a gripping 34-all draw for the second time this season. In the Plate segment, Air Force turned on the style in a dominant win over Navy, while Police SC kept their Plate ambitions alive with a strong away victory over Army.
CUP SEGMENT
Havelocks stun CR & FC in Super Round opener
Full Time:
Havelock SC 28 (4T, 4C)
CR & FC 14 (2T, 2C)
Havelock Sports Club sent an early warning to the rest of the Cup contenders with a powerful 28 – 14 win over league leaders CR & FC at Havelock Park. CR struck first through their driving maul, scoring twice to race into a 14 – 0 lead, but the Park Club gradually wrestled back control through relentless forward pressure.
>>Last-gasp penalty sees CH & FC hold Kandy to thrilling draw yet again
Mohamed Rifan sparked the comeback before Abdullah Faiz levelled the scores just before the break. Havelocks dominated the second half, with Amituanai Visesio Jr and Skipper Janindu Fernando powering over from close range as their maul and pick-and-drive game proved decisive. The result blew the Cup segment wide open in the very first week.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Janindu Fernando (Havelock SC)
CH & FC and Kandy share the spoils in season classic
Full Time:
CH & FC 34 (5T, 3C, 1P)
Kandy SC 34 (4T, 4C, 2P)
For the second time this season, CH & FC and Kandy Sports Club could not be separated, producing another thrilling 34 – all draw in what is rapidly becoming the rivalry of the year. CH struck early through Thanuja Maduranga, while Kandy responded through Srinath Sooriyabandara and Akash Madushanka, as the lead changed hands repeatedly.
>>Havelocks stun CR & FC in Super Round Opener
Koli Tamanikalu’s power running and a penalty try gave CH breathing space late on, but Kandy once again showed their championship pedigree. Akash Madushanka’s second try and a nerveless late penalty from Hirusha Sampath edged the champions ahead before Janith Chandimal held his nerve in stoppage time to secure the draw. A pulsating contest that lived up to its billing as the game of the season so far.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Janindu Dilshan (CH & FC)
PLATE SEGMENT
Air Force run riot as Navy sink at Welisara
Full Time:
Air Force SC 61 (9T, 8C)
Navy SC 24 (3T, 3C, 1P)
Air Force Sports Club produced a ruthless attacking display to overwhelm Navy SC in a one-sided Plate segment opener at Welisara. After an early Navy try, the Airmen seized control with pace and power out wide, running in four first-half tries to take a commanding lead into the break.
Vaovasa Afa, Arosha Rathnayake and Ishara Rathnayake starred in a relentless second half, as Air Force piled on points from all areas of the field. Navy showed flashes of resistance through Skipper Denuwan Wickramarachchi, but the Airmen’s tempo and finishing proved far too strong.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Gayantha Iddamalgoda (Air Force SC)
Police stay in Plate reckoning with strong away win
Full Time:
Sri Lanka Army 14 (2T, 2C)
Police SC 29 (5T, 2C)
Police SC kept their Plate hopes alive with a composed 29 – 14 victory over Army SC in Panagoda, built around a dominant second-half display. Trailing at the break, the visitors took control through Skipper Shanaka Harischandra, who crossed twice from close range to swing momentum decisively.
>>First Round Concludes with CR on top as Super Round beckons
Sujan Kodithuwakku’s well-taken try opened daylight between the sides, while Kaliova Mocetadra added further polish with ball in hand and off the tee. Army failed to score in the second half as Police ground out a deserved bonus-point win under testing conditions.
Swisstek Player of the Match: Shanaka Harischandra (Police SC)
The upcoming super Round Week 02 fixtures are as follows:
Plate Segment
- Navy Sports Club vs Police Sports Club – Welisara (06 Feb)
- Sri Lanka Army vs Air Force Sports Club – Panagoda (07 Feb)
Cup Segment
- Havelock Sports Club vs Kandy Sports Club – Havelock Park (07 Feb)
- CH & FC vs CR & FC– Race Course (08 Feb)
All other matches are scheduled for kick-off at 4.00 PM.
