CR END KANDY’S UNBEATEN RUN WITH GRAND 25-20 WIN

Sajeewa Jayakody and Hafiz Marikar

Table leaders CR and FC produced a marvellous performance to stun defending champions and previously unbeaten Kandy Sports Club by 25 points (two goals, one try, two penalties) to 20 (one goal, two tries, one penalty) in their Maliban Trophy Sri Lanka Rugby Inter-Club ‘A’ Division League match played at the Nittawela Stadium in Kandy yesterday. The Red Shirts led 17–13 at halftime after a fiercely contested first half.

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Despite soggy and slippery conditions caused by steady rain, both teams delivered a high-quality contest marked by strong forward play and brave attacking rugby. CR and FC opened the scoring in the third minute when centre Thenuka Nanayakkara calmly slotted over a long-range 43-metre penalty to give the visitors a 3–0 lead.

The Red Shirts extended their advantage in the 10th minute when Fijian No.8 Enesi Waqanisau powered over from a rolling maul for the first try of the match. Nanayakkara made the conversion with a fine kick as CR and FC surged ahead 10–0. Kandy SC responded in the 15th minute through hooker Dilshan Fareed, who finished off a powerful rolling maul in the right corner. Fly-half Asiri Seneviratne missed the conversion as CR maintained a 10–5 lead. The home side drew level in the 22nd minute when winger Dinal Ekanayake raced down the right flank to score under difficult footing. Fullback Srinath Sooriyabandara missed the conversion, leaving the scores locked at 10–all.

Kandy suffered a setback in the 26th minute when fly-half Asiri Seneviratne was forced off through injury and replaced by Shaahid Zumri.

CR and FC regained control in the 34th minute when second row Naveen Marasinghe crashed over close to the posts. Nanayakkara converted to give the visitors a 17–10 lead.

Just before the break, replacement fly-half Shaahid Zumri landed a 22-metre penalty to reduce the deficit, and CR and FC went into halftime with a narrow 17–13 advantage. Two minutes after the lemons, replacement kicker Chathura Seneviratne produced a superb 48-metre penalty to stretch CR’s lead to 20–13.

Kandy missed a golden chance to close the gap when Zumri failed to convert a penalty three minutes later. CR and FC then struck a decisive blow in the 57th minute when Nanayakkara squeezed through the right corner for a brilliant unconverted try, extending the lead to 25–13. Nanayakkara, who delivered an outstanding performance during his 65-minute stay, was later replaced by Viduna Amaneth.

Kandy were awarded a penalty try in the 70th minute for repeated infringements, adding seven crucial points and reducing the margin to 20-25.

The closing stages were tense and dramatic. CR gained vital territory through a clever kick by Manilka Ruberu in the 78th minute, before skipper Lasindu Karunathilake was yellow-carded in the 79th minute for a high tackle. However, CR and FC defended bravely in the final moments to seal a famous victory at the final whistle.

Referee: Raveen Alexander

•Courtesy from  https://dailynews.lk/

https://dailynews.lk/2026/01/12/sports/931862/cr-end-kandys-unbeaten-run-with-grand-25-20-win/