CR-Havelocks Clifford Cup final should be a thriller

March 6, 2026 1:03 am

Sajeewa Jayakody

Havelock Sports Club, fresh from a giant-killing performance against defending champions Kandy Sports Club, will confront traditional rivals and league champions CR & FC in the grand final of the Maliban Trophy Clifford Cup Knockout Rugby Tournament under floodlights at Longden Place on Saturday, March 7,at 6 p m in what promises to be a thrilling battle between two evenly matched sides.

The Park Club produced one of the biggest upsets of the season when they edged past Kandy by 41-38 in a dramatic semi-final at Nittawela after earlier defeating Police Sports Club 29-10 in the quarter-final. That victory showed the character and resilience of the Havelocks outfit, who came from behind and held their nerve in the dying stages to silence the defending champions on their own ground.

These two finalists have already crossed paths twice during the league season, with honours shared. In the first round encounter played at Longden Place, CR & FC dominated proceedings to record a comfortable 33-14 victory. However, Havelocks turned the tables in the return leg, producing a convincing 28-14 win, setting the stage for a decisive third meeting which will determine the Clifford Cup champions.

CR & FC booked their place in the final after overcoming a determined challenge from Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club, winning 29-22 in the semi-final. Earlier they had accounted for Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club 29-15 in the quarter-final, displaying their ability to grind out victories under pressure.

The strength of Havelocks lies in their powerful forward pack which has dominated many matches this season. Hooker Azmir Fajudeen has been a constant threat, scoring tries regularly from the trademark rolling maul. He is strongly supported by prop Abdullah Faiz and Nishendra Silva, while skipper Janidu Fernando and Fijian second-rower Vunaki Waqanibau add strength in the tight exchanges. Their back-row trio of Thithrendra Dodangoda, Udesh Madushanka and the tireless number eight Chathura Dilshan have also played a key role with their work rate and physical presence.

However, the Park Club forwards will face a formidable challenge from the CR & FC pack. Prop Thanuja Jayaweera, hooker Venura Kodagoda and Senura Perera   form a solid front row, while Naveen Marasinghe and Achintha Radeeshan  provides strength in the second row. The experienced Omalka Gunaratne, skipper Lasindu Karunathilaka and the powerful Fijian number eight Emosi Waqanisi will ensure that the battle up front becomes a fierce contest for supremacy.

CR & FC also possess a dangerous back line that has impressed throughout the season. The halves combination of scrum-half Hashan Maduranga and full back-turned-fly-half Mursheed Doray has clicked while the experienced midfield pairing of Thenuka Nanayakkara and Manilka Ruberu are strong runners capable of breaking through any defence. Speedsters Chemod Muthunayake and Pasindu Bandara operate on the wings, while Kushan Tharindu marshals the last line of defence at full back and often joins the attack in support.

Havelocks too boast a well-balanced three-quarter line capable of troubling the opposition. Scrum-half Mohamed Rifan and fly-half Samuel Maduwantha have formed an effective halves partnership in recent matches. In midfield, Sudesh Jayawickrama and the experienced Mushin Faleel are powerful attackers who can test the CR defence. Out wide, Janidu Wijeratne and Jayathu Rajaratne provide pace and finishing ability, while Nabeel  Yehiya will once again anchor the defence from fullback.a

•Courtesy from https://dailynews.lk/

https://dailynews.lk/2026/03/06/sports/961986/cr-havelocks-clifford-cup-final-should-be-a-thriller/