The ladies from Navy SC clinched the Mastercard Inter-Club Women’s ‘A’ Division Rugby League 2024/25 after a dominant victory over CR & FC, winning 61-5. It was one-way traffic at the Welisara Rugby Fortress, as the Navy team scored 11 tries against a solitary try from their opponents.
The unofficial final of the tournament took place three weeks earlier between the two top teams, Army SC and Navy SC, at the Panagoda Army Grounds. The game went down to the wire, with Army SC leading until the final minutes. However, the Navy ladies mounted a counterattack, scoring a winning try that all but sealed their league title. Despite finishing as runners-up, the Army lasses put on a valiant performance, ensuring the tournament wasn’t a one-horse race.
In the first round, Navy SC defeated Army SC (32-7) and CR & FC (44-15) in comprehensive victories.
This tournament marked a new era for women’s rugby in the country, with Havelock SC and Sri Lions SC fielding women’s teams for the first time in history. However, the withdrawal of the Air Force team came as a surprise. Another major talking point was the crushing 104-0 victory by CR & FC over newcomers Havelock SC, in a game that saw 18 tries scored.
Following an impressive performance in the final match, scoring six tries, Navy SC center three-quarter Sandika Hemakumari was awarded the Best Player title. Meanwhile, the powerful hooker Gayani Randunu led the unbeaten team as captain.
