The most balanced encounter of the quarter finals of Mastercard Inter-Club Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025 was staged at the Rathmalana Air Force Grounds yesterday where the visitors were managed to attack the Airmen to secure a commanding 22 – 10.
The Air Force came on a high as they have already beat the CH side in the League opener in the same venue. But Airmen were unfortunate to lose the service of their regular kicking-star Gayantha Iddamalgoda. On the contrary, CH side was determined for a semifinal berth with the success of Plate Championship of Club League.
In the initial minutes of the game, the ball possession was with the Airmen and after an excellent work in the line Airmen got into the CH territory. Suddenly Darshan Dabare saw an opportunity and kicked a grubber. Pasindu Perera chased it and made no mistake with picking and planted a try in addition to the conversion kick (CH 00 – AF 07).
Later the CH had their first fair chance of scoring when the referee went for an advantage for collapsing a maul by the Airmen. The powerful prop forward Charith Silva barged his way through to the tryline by dragging three defending players. Then Janith Chandimal squared the game with a good conversion kick (CH 07 – AF 07).
Later Arosh Ratnayake of Air Force and Pasindu Bandara were yellow carded by the referee for engaging in a fight in the middle. As a result a penalty was awarded to CH, but Janith Chandimal missed a regulation kick.
Few minutes later CH put a massive driving maul and again Airmen were guilty of collapsing it. After a pick and go passage of play Pulasthi Dasanayake crossed over for the second try of CH. This time Janith Chandimal nailed the conversion kick (CH 14 – AF 07).
In the 26th minute, CH delivered a superb running attack after receiving a clearance kick and Charith Silva was able to score his second try. This time CH fails to add extra points (CH 19 – AF 07). The restart kick of the Airmen gave them a penalty for not releasing the ball by CH. But unluckily the Air Force kicker made a bad contact with the ball and it went astray.
At the brink of the halftime, the Airmen launched a fierce attack and were rewarded with a penalty as CH was spotted for an offside play. Pasindu Perera made a successful kick before the short whistle.
Half-Time: CH & FC 19 (3T, 2C) – AFSC 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
With the start of the 2nd half, Dinesh de Silva of CH had a brilliant territory-gaining kick from their own half but missed out a brilliant 50 – 22 chance by a whisker. There onwards CH never looked back as the Airmen were penalized for an early leaving at a scrummage. Janith Chandimal was successful with the penalty kick as the CH managed to extend their lead (CH 22 – AF 10).
Few minutes later, Air Force had a golden attacking position as the former D.S Senanayake captain Umagiliyage nailed an excellent kick at the touch following a penalty. The 5- meter uncontested lineout was converted into a rolling maul but the boys who were guided by Sanath Martis were able to bring it down legally. Then Airmen put maximum effort to cross the line with pick and go passage of play. But the solid and resilient defence of CH made Airmen go only to sideways and finally CH players were able to turnover the ball.
In the 63rd minute after a short pass CH center managed to spot a gap in the Air Force defence and penetrated through, but unlucky was ankle tapped by the last defensive player of Airmen while he was trying to make a sidestep.
In the dying minutes of the game, the Airmen had a fair amount of possession and launched an attack but the back to back mistakes prevented their scoring opportunities and the referee Ishanka Abeykoon blew the long whistle.
During the second half both teams worked hard to cross for a try with forwards driving through the defence and backs kicking and chasing. But frequent handling errors, loose passes, and silly penalties, diverted them from their game plan and sealed a try-less session. By the way CH & FC secured their place in the Clifford Cup semi-finals against the mighty Kandy SC at the Nittawela.
Full Time: CH & FC 22 (3T, 2C, 1P) – Air Force 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Charith Silva (CH & FC)
Points Breakdown
CH & FC: 22
Charith Silva 2T, Pulasthi Dasanayake 1T, Janith Chandimal 2C, 1P
Air Force: 10
Pasindu Perera 1T, 1C, 1P
