CH & FC delivered a commanding 69-24 victory over a struggling Navy Sports Club, running in 11 tries in a dominant display during their Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 clash at Racecourse Stadium.
In the final week of the first round, an inconsistent CH & FC hosted a struggling Navy Sports Club. The home side took early control, kicking to the corner after an offside infringement. A rolling maul was stopped just short, but scrum-half Harsha Maduranga spotted a gap, sold a dummy, and dived over for the opening try. (CH 05-00 Navy)
>>Rajaratne brothers hand Havelock SC a memorable win
Navy dominated possession for the next few minutes but failed to capitalise. CH struck again, with hooker Pulasthi Dassanayake making a strong carry before the forwards created space out wide. Maduranga quickly spread the ball to Skipper Janindu Dilshan, who crossed the line with ease. Shortly after, CH launched a counterattack from their own half as Maduranga’s sharp distribution found Dilhara Ranasinghe, who sent a long pass to Ravindu Anjula. Anjula broke through the Navy defense, sidestepped the last defender, and sprinted 50 meters to score. (CH 15-00 Navy)
Navy finally responded through patient forward play before playmaker Thilina Weerasinghe changed direction, threw a dummy, and cut inside to score. He converted his own try to keep his team in the game. Despite conceding, CH remained dominant. Ranasinghe delivered another long ball to Roshen Kumara, who weaved past defenders before being brought down near the line. He managed to offload to Ranasinghe, who collected the pass and dived under the posts. After missing three conversions, Janith Chandimal finally found his mark. (CH 22-07 Navy)
>>Kandy Extends Dominance, Outclasses Police
Navy hit back as their forwards took a quick tap just five meters out. After a series of strong carries, Apoorva Wijesinghe powered over from close range, with Weerasinghe adding the conversion. Minutes later, Weerasinghe slotted a penalty to further cut the deficit. (CH 22-17 Navy)
CH closed the half in style when Skipper Dilshan collected a clearance kick at the halfway mark, broke through multiple tackles and stormed towards the try line. Quick hands by the CH forwards sent the ball to Nirosh Perera, who bulldozed over to extend CH’s lead. Chandimal added the extras, sealing a dominant first-half performance.
Half Time: CH & FC 29 (5T,2C) – Navy SC 17 (2T,2C,1P)
The home side started the second half strongly with two quick tries. Dilhara Ranasinghe wove through the Navy defense from the 40-meter mark, executing two sharp sidesteps to beat the last defenders before diving under the posts. Soon after, he delivered a well-timed pass to Pasindu Bandara, who sliced through the defense and turned on the afterburners to outrun the last two defenders, finishing a brilliant 50-meter dash. Chandimal converted both tries with ease.
>>Air Force maul their way to victory over Sri Lions
CH remained relentless, piling pressure on the struggling Sailors. A powerful rolling maul proved unstoppable as Nirosh Perera burrowed over for his second try, with Chandimal adding the extras. At the hour mark, Bandara struck again, exploiting a defensive gap after collecting a pinpoint pass from Dinesh De Silva, following strong, patient build up play from the forwards.
After conceding four second-half tries, Navy finally responded through Isuru Perera, who crashed over from close range after a series of strong carries. Weerasinghe converted to reduce the deficit.
CH closed out the game with two more tries. Maliksha Perera was the first to score, capitalising on a well-executed No. 8 break by Gimhana Silva, which created space for him to finish near the corner flag. Afterwards, Roshen Kumara made a blistering run from CH’s own 22-meter line, breaking through multiple defenders before the backs combined to maintain possession. A few phases later, Thanuja Maduranga collected a pass from Pasindu Bandara and touched down effortlessly, sealing a dominant victory.
Full Time: CH & FC 69 (11T,7C) – Navy SC 24 (3T,3C,1P)
Player of the Match: Pasindu Bandara (CH & FC)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC 69
Nirosh Perera 2T, Pasindu Bandara 2T, Harsha Maduranga 1T, Janindu Dilshan 1T, Dilhara Ranasinghe 2T, Maliksha Perera 1T, Thanuja Maduranga 1T, Ravindu Anjula 1T, Janith Chandimal 7C
Navy SC 24
Isuru Perera 1T, Apoorva Wijesinghe 1T, Thilina Weerasinghe 1T,3C,1P
