09 Jan 2026 | BY Muaard Razick

As we step into week-9 action of the inter club rugby league, there is absolutely no doubt that Kandy vs. CR clash on Sunday (11) will be the game of the week as the two perennial rivals take centre stage in hills in what entices to be a mouth-watering clash for the ages. 

Let’s take a deeper look into this weekend’s fixtures 

9 January - Havelocks vs. CH&FC at Havelock Park

This age-old rivalry will decide the fate of both teams in the run up to the top flight in the cup championship title race as CH seems to be on top of the charts on paper with their amazing unbeaten run in the league after many decades. Havies on the other hand have a lot to prove and regroup after their heavy loss at the hands of yet another traditional rival CR&FC last week at Longden Place. 

Last meeting: Havelocks beat CH&FC 27-21 at Racecourse (January 2025)

10 January

Army SC vs. Navy SC at Panagoda 

This all-forces outing tempts to be an even-steven matchup with both teams posing a threat to topple the opposition. They’ve both done well overall, yet failed in some minor details to pull off the big ‘W’ against their opponents. Army go in as slight favourites against a gutsy outfit of sailors who are yearning for that all important victory to boost their season. 

Last meetings: Army beat Navy 49-22 at Welisara (January 2025)

Army beat Navy 48-27 at Panagoda (February 2025)

Siri Lions vs. Air Force at Longden Place 

Given their dismal performance throughout the season, hosts Siri Lions will have their work cut out against this formidable Air Force team who are able to run riot at any given day against any opposition. Their last meeting at the Airmen’s home base saw a close tussle, the Lions should not look further but gain inspiration from that encounter to overcome the current winless streak. 

Last meeting: Air Force beat Siri Lions 29-27 at Ratmalana (February 2025)

11 January 

Kandy SC vs. CR&FC at Nittawela

The classic Kandy-Colombo rivalry will come back to life at the sporting cathedral of Hill Capital as Kandy Sports Club’s Nittawela fortress is set to fill up to capacity on Sunday (11) in a game that is expected to have all kinds of fireworks. It’ll be a 3-in-a-row at Nittawela against CR for Kandy and they’ve been victors in the last two meet-ups. However this weekend’s high octane clash will put the unbeaten defending champions to test by a revitalised contingent of ‘Red Shirts’. CR last tasted victory in Kandy in 2024 (38-26) after they put a full-stop to many decades of winless misery in the hill capital. 

Last meetings: Kandy beat CR&FC 41-33 at Nittawela (April 2025 – Clifford Cup Final)

Kandy beat CR&FC 39-20 at Nittawela (March 2025)