LONGDEN PLACE, Colombo: (ePRESS) – Defending champions CR and FC delivered a masterclass in power and precision, crushing Sri Lanka Navy SC 38-15 in their Week 3 clash of the Master Card Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament at Longden Place. The Red Shirts extended their unbeaten streak with a commanding performance under floodlights, leading 21-3 at halftime and never relinquishing control.
The champions showcased their depth and firepower, scoring four converted tries and two unconverted tries. Navy SC, despite moments of individual brilliance, managed a solitary goal, two unconverted tries, and a penalty for their consolation tally.
CR and FC wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the sixth minute, scrum half Viduna Amaneth opened the scoring with a sensational try, slicing through the defense after receiving a precise pass from Adeesha Weeratunga. Fullback Mursheed Doray converted with ease, putting CR ahead 7-0.
Navy responded in the 12th minute with a penalty kick, narrowing the deficit to 7-3. However, that was as close as they would get.
CR’s captain and powerhouse No. 8, Omalka Gunaratne, was unstoppable in the 19th minute. Breaking through tackles, he grounded CR’s second try, which Doray converted to extend the lead to 14-3.
Gunaratne struck again in the 37th minute, bulldozing through two defenders to score his second try near the posts. Doray’s reliable boot added the extras, giving CR a commanding 21-3 lead at the break.
CR continued their onslaught immediately after the interval. Adeesha Weeratunga crossed the line for their bonus-point try in the 47th minute, though it went unconverted. This extended their lead to 26-3.
Navy SC finally showed signs of life in the 56th minute when open-side flanker Denuwan Wickramarachchi completed a superb solo run to score their first try. However, the conversion attempt missed, leaving the score at 26-8.
The Red Shirts struck back emphatically in the 61st minute. Amaneth, fed by a beautiful one-handed offload from Thenuka Nanayakkara, scored his second try of the evening. Replacement kicker Thilina Wijesinghe made no mistake with the conversion, stretching CR’s advantage to 33-8.
Despite a temporary setback with Malinda Shehath’s yellow card in the 71st minute, CR remained clinical. Thenuka Nanayakkara capped off his impressive game with an unconverted try in the 77th minute, pushing the score to 38-8.
Navy SC salvaged some pride in the dying moments when veteran fullback Thilina Weerasinghe scored and converted his own try, closing the gap to 38-15 as the final whistle blew.
CR and FC’s victory was built on a foundation of superior forward play, clinical finishing, and disciplined defence. Gunaratne’s physicality and leadership set the tone, while Doray’s consistent conversions kept the scoreboard ticking. Amaneth and Nanayakkara showcased exceptional agility and game awareness, ensuring CR capitalized on every scoring opportunity.
For Navy SC, individual efforts from Wickramarachchi and Weerasinghe stood out, but they lacked solidarity and struggled to counter CR’s relentless pressure.
Referee: Sudath Madugalle.
