RED SHIRTS CRUSH POLICE 46-22 TO GO TOP

December 29, 2025 1:30 am

Sajeewa Jayakody

CR and FC surged to the top of the points table with a powerful 46 (four goals, three tries, one penalty) to 22 (two goals, one try, one penalty) bonus-point win over Police Sports Club, turning a tight contest into a championship signal in their Maliban SLR Inter-club ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament match at Police Park yesterday.

The Red Shirts, who led just 17-3 at halftime, exploded in the second half with speed, power and depth to seal a convincing victory.CR and FC struck first through winger Pasindu Bandara in the fifth minute, with centre Thenuka Nanayakkara adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Police SC replied quickly when fullback Pasindu Tharuka slotted a penalty to cut the gap to 7-3.

CR and FC then took control of territory and possession. Winger Chemod Muthunayake crossed the opponents’ goal line twice before the break, as the visitors went into the lemons leading 17-3.

After the breather, CR and FC lifted the tempo. Number eight Omalka Gunaratne powered over for the bonus-point try, stretching the lead to 22-3. Even after Gunaratne was sin-binned, the Red Shirts showed their strength in depth. Replacement scrum-half Viduna Amaneth dived over from close range, with fly half Murusheed Doray converting to make it 29-3.

Police Sports Club fought back bravely. A penalty try and two well-worked tries through Pasindu Tharuka and Rukshan Madushanka, of which one was converted by Prince Chamara, reduced the margin to 29-22 and briefly raised hopes of a comeback. CR and FC responded with calm authority. Nanayakkara landed a long-range penalty to make it 32-22, Amaneth sliced through near the posts for another try and converted by Nanayakkara to make it 39-22.

Despite losing replacement prop Yoshitha Sithumina to a red card late on, the visitors finished strongly.  In the final move, centre Nanayakkara capped a fine all-round performance with a try and added the extra points himself to give the Red Shirts a grand 46-22 win. Referee: Raveen Alexander.

•Courtesy from https://dailynews.lk/

https://dailynews.lk/2025/12/29/sports/923233/red-shirts-crush-police-46-22-to-go-top/