CR & FC staged a resilient second-half comeback to secure a hard-fought 31-16 victory over Air Force Sports Club in their final Mastercard Inter-Club ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 Cup Segment clash at Longdon Place.
Both teams took the field with pride on the line, as their league standings were already decided. Hosts CR & FC aimed to end a disappointing campaign on a high note, having to settle for third place despite entering the season as defending champions. Meanwhile, Air Force could take satisfaction in qualifying for the Cup Segment.
Air Force struck early, opening the scoring in the 2nd minute after a high tackle infringement, with Pasindu Perera calmly slotting a penalty between the uprights. (CR 00-03 Air Force)
The game remained scoreless for the next 20 minutes as both sides struggled to break through. CR & FC finally found their moment in the 23rd minute, capitalising on a lineout near the 10-meter mark following an Air Force clearance. The hosts secured possession and set up a rolling maul before Omalka Gunaratne spotted a gap on the blindside. Bulldozing through multiple Air Force defenders, he powered over for the first try of the game, with Mursheed Doray nailing a superb conversion from the corner. (CR 07-03 Air Force)
Despite conceding, the Airmen steadily grew into the game, sticking to their structured play. Another high tackle from CR gifted them a penalty, and Perera once again made no mistake, bringing the score to within a point. (CR 07-06 Air Force)
CR’s defensive discipline continued to falter, conceding another penalty for offside just before halftime. Perera’s accuracy remained flawless as he slotted his third penalty, giving Air Force a narrow lead heading into the break.
Half Time: CR & FC 07 (1T,1C) – Air Force 09 (3P)
The home side started the second half with intent as Mursheed Doray kicked a penalty to the corner, setting up the CR pack for another well-executed rolling maul. As expected, Omalka Gunaratna once again broke away from the maul, crashing over for his second try of the game. Doray made no mistake with the conversion, putting CR back in the lead. (CR 14-09 Air Force)
Air Force responded with determination, dominating the next 10 minutes as they patiently built pressure through their forwards. Playing with a penalty advantage, the Airmen opted to shift the ball wide, with Gayantha Iddamalgoda drawing in defenders before executing a perfectly timed offload to winger Kalana Chamuditha, who dived over for the try. Pasindu Perera, continuing his flawless kicking form, slotted another brilliant conversion from the corner, restoring Air Force’s lead. (CR 14-16 Air Force)
CR began to feel the pressure as the Airmen controlled the momentum, but stand-in Skipper Doray produced a game-changing moment with a stunning 50-22 kick, setting up his team with an attacking lineout deep in Air Force territory. The hosts secured possession and once again set up a rolling maul, this time driving hooker Venura Kodagoda over the line for their third try of the match. (CR 19-16 Air Force)
With the momentum now in their favor, CR & FC continued to press forward. Replacement scrum-half Viduna Amaneth spotted a penalty advantage and guided his forwards through a series of pick-and-goes. Although Air Force momentarily turned the ball over, Amaneth reacted quickly, taking a tap and stepping inside brilliantly to wrong-foot the defenders before darting over for the bonus point try. Chemod Muthunayake added the easy conversion. (CR 26-16 Air Force)
CR & FC put the finishing touches on their victory with one final try. Amaneth was at the heart of the action once again, making a sharp break from the 22-meter line to bring play deep into the Air Force red zone. The forwards continued to grind through multiple phases before shifting the ball to playmaker Thenuka Nanayakkara, who was brought down inches from the line. Sensing an opportunity, Amaneth spotted a gap in the Airmen’s defense and sniped through to grab his second try, sealing a dominant win and ending the season on a high note.
Full Time: CR & FC 31 (5T,3C) – Air Force 16 (1T,1C,3P)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Viduna Amaneth (CR & FC)
Points Breakdown
CR & FC 31
Omalka Gunaratna 2T, Viduna Amaneth 2T, Venura Kodagoda 1T, Mursheed Doray 2C, Chemod Muthunayake 1C
Air Force 16
Kalana Chamuditha 1T, Pasindu Perera 1C,3P
