VISHENKA AND GASALO MAKE DEBUT AS CR AND FC AIM TO RECLAIM GLORY

December 12, 2025 1:04 am

Sajeewa Jayakody

The pick of this week’s Maliban SLR Inter-Club A Division Rugby Tournament sees former champions CR and FC clash with the strong CH and FC at Longden Place on Saturday, December 13, at 3 pm, promising a thrilling battle as CR and FC aim to reclaim the A Division title they surrendered to Kandy SC last year. Former Peterite Captain Vishenka Silva and New Zealand centre Auvae Gasalo are set to make their debut for CR and FC, adding extra firepower to an already formidable squad.

On the same day, unbeaten Air Force SC will face Navy SC at Ratmalana, while today, Friday, December 12, Army SC will visit Siri Lions SC at Longden Place. The week concludes on Sunday, December 14, when defending champions Kandy SC host Police SC at Nittawela.

CR and FC will field a formidable side determined to go all out. for victory Among   the forwards, skipper Lasindu Karunathilake inspires with tireless loose play, supported by burly flanker Omalka Gunaratne, second rowers Naveen Marasinghe and Shenal Adhikaram, prop Thanuja Jayaweera, and hooker Venura Kodagoda.

The backs boast a potent combination. Half backs Hashan Maduranga and Dinesh de Silva have hit it off  in recent games. Centres Thenuka Nanayakkara, veteran Manilka Ruberu, and debutant Auvae Gasalo provide strong running and attacking options. Wingers Aaron Corera and debutant Vishenka Silva, along with full back Mursheed Doray, who excels in overlaps and safe collections, complete a dangerous backline.

Notably, CR & FC this season feature seven former Peterites, underlining the strength of their squad and the club’s historic ties to the school. These players are: Senura Perera, Jehan Weerabangsa, Januth Ratnayake Thenuka Nanayakkara, Kushan Tharindu, Pasindu Bandara, and Vishenka Silva.

CR and FC have recorded two wins so far: 65-8 over Siri Lions and a 19-0 win over Army SC, which was abandoned at halftime due to heavy rain at Panagoda. CH and FC began their season with a 22-5 win over Police SC. Led by Sri Lanka centre Janidu Dilshan, the Maitland Crescent side features a strong three-quarter line. Half backs Maliksha Perera and experienced Janith Chandimal form a sharp combination, while centres Janidu Dilshan and Randy Silva provide powerful running options. Winger Dharshana Dabare and full back/placekicker Abdul Haadhi complete the back line.

Among  the forwards, hooker Pulasthi Dassanayake, second rowers Yohan Fernando and Lahiru Thilakaratne, number eight Christian de Lile, and flanker Samitha Warnakulasuriya will challenge CR’s pack.

Army SC, led by Sri Lanka winger Sudharaka Dikkumbura, will look for their first win of the season against struggling Siri Lions. Army lost earlier matches to Police SC (19-24) and CR (0-19) but should have the upper hand. Key players include centre Prasanna Jayatunga, second rowers Mohomed Akram and Manjula Weerasinghe, last year’s skipper Nalaka Maduranga, and vice captain/hooker Dilsha Dissanayake.

Siri Lions, led by Ganindu Weerasinghe, have struggled in both games, losing 8-65 to CR and 11-42 to Havelock SC. Their key players include Aiden Fernando, Denuwan Lakanda, Dilshan Madushanka, Dulaj Navodya, Nizran Nillar, and Yohan Dulanjaya.

Air Force SC remains unbeaten with victories over Police SC (26-17) and Army SC (24-19). Led by flanker Sharaka Werella, last year’s skipper Rumesh Wasantha, second rower Parakrama Ratnayake, and hooker Shamika Kaushan will lead the forwards. Fly half Gayantha Iddamalgoda has been crucial in backline play and place-kicking.

Navy SC, captained by Denuwan Wickramarachchi, will rely on fly half Isuru Kongahawatte, full back Thilina Weerasinghe, and vice captain Pamuditha Epa to try to contain the Airmen.

Defending champions Kandy SC are expected to dominate Police SC at Nittawela. Flanker Tharindu Chathuranga leads a strong pack including prop Wajith Faumy, second rowers Thilina Bandara and Chathura Soysa, and flanker/skipper Daham Wickramarachchi.

Backs feature Sri Lanka player Heshan Jansen with halfback Asiri Seneviratne, centres Dhanushka Ranjan and Shahid Zumri/Akash Madushanka, and wingers Dinal Ekanayake and Diluksha Dange. Full back Srinath Sooriyabandara remains a key last line of defence.

Police SC, weakened by player departures, will rely on captain and flanker Shanaka Harischandra, prop Hafeez Thabeeth, second rower Mohan Wimalaratne, number eight Vihanga Pavithra, scrum half Primesh Dhanushka, winger Sujan Kodithuwakku, and winger Matheesha Pathirana to challenge Kandy SC’s dominance.

This week promises a crucial test for CR and FC, a chance for Air Force to stay unbeaten, Army to gain first win, and Kandy SC to reaffirm championship credentials, making it one of the most exciting weekends in the 2025 Maliban SLR Inter-Club A Division League so far.

•Courtesy from https://dailynews.lk/

https://dailynews.lk/2025/12/12/sports/912848/vishenka-and-gasalo-make-debut-as-cr-and-fc-aim-to-reclaim-glory/