LONGDEN PLACE, Colombo, Feb 21 (ePRESS) – The Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR & FC) produced a champion performance under pressure to edge out defending champions Kandy Sports Club 23-21 and reclaim the League title in a thrilling Cup Final played under floodlights at Longden Place last night. In a season-defining statement, CR & FC defeated the champions for the third time this year, underlining their dominance and mental strength when it mattered most.
Trailing 7-14 at half time and facing a fired-up Kandy outfit that had shown remarkable courage despite playing with 14 men for most of the game, CR & FC displayed patience, discipline and tactical maturity to wrest back control in the closing stages.
The match exploded into life in the 14th minute when Kandy’s leading try scorer and winger Dinal Ekanayake was shown a red card for head-to-head contact. It was a massive turning point. Losing a key finisher so early forced the Nittawela side to adjust their structure and rely heavily on forward power.
CR & FC capitalised almost immediately. One minute after the dismissal, burly flanker Omalka Gunaratne powered over from a driving maul. Centre Thenuka Nanayakkara added the conversion to give the home side a 7-0 lead.
But Kandy’s response was fearless. Fourteen-man Kandy struck back in the 23rd minute when second row Thilina Bandara crashed over near the posts. Fly half Shaahid Zumri converted to level the scores at 7-7.
Five minutes later, skipper Tharindu Chathuranga led from the front, diving over for Kandy’s second try. Replacement Anura Perera converted, and suddenly the visitors led 14-7. It was a remarkable display of resilience.
CR & FC captain Lasindu Karunathilaka then won a crucial defensive penalty just before half time, preventing what looked like another Kandy try. At the break, despite being a man down, Kandy held a 14-7 advantage.
In the second half, CR & FC adjusted their game plan. They slowed the tempo, kicked tactically and built pressure through phases. In the 53rd minute, Nanayakkara slotted over a penalty to narrow the gap to 10-14.
Five minutes later, winger Chemod Muthunayake — the club’s leading try scorer this season — finished in the left corner after a sharp pass from Chathura Seneviratne. Though unconverted, CR & FC moved ahead 15-14. It was a reward for sustained territorial pressure.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute. Replacement Viduna Amaneth pounced on a mistake from Kandy fly half Zumri, intercepting a loose dink and slicing through the defence to score mid-left. The try was unconverted, but CR & FC extended their lead to 20-14.
Kandy refused to surrender. In the 77th minute, centre Diluksha Dange touched down after a determined attack. Anura Perera converted, and the champions reclaimed the lead 21-20. The floodlit crowd sensed another dramatic twist.
In the final movement of the game, skipper Karunathilaka forced a match-winning penalty near the posts through relentless breakdown work. Nanayakkara calmly stepped up and slotted the kick to seal a dramatic 23-21 victory.
Kandy showed immense courage playing with 14 men for over 65 minutes. Their forward dominance and structured play kept them in control for long periods. However, fatigue in the final quarter and one costly error allowed CR & FC to strike.
CR & FC, on the other hand, showed maturity. They did not panic when trailing. Their bench impact, particularly Amaneth’s try, proved decisive. More importantly, their discipline in the final minutes secured the winning penalty.
Beating the defending champions three times in one season confirms that CR & FC are worthy league winners. It was a victory built on resilience, smart tactical control and clinical finishing at key moments.
Referee: Craig Chan
