Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Saturday, 3 January 2026 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
CH and FC maintained their unbeaten run in the Inter Club Rugby League 2025/2026 with a gritty 43/25 victory over a brave Army Sports Club side in their encounter played at Panagoda last evening. While the final margin reflected CH’s late dominance, the contest was fiercely competitive for much of the game, with Army matching the visitors in intensity and physicality for long spells.
Army enjoyed the better share of the opening half, producing some superb forwards play which put the visitors under pressure. The hosts struck twice within the first 12 minutes, their forwards laying a solid platform and their backs attacking with confidence. CH, despite being starved of territory, remained composed and relied on swift ball movement across their three-quarters to breach the Army defence, edging ahead 19/17 at the short breather. The narrow halftime deficit was harsh on Army, who played some of their best rugby of the season in the first half. Missed kicks at goal and wayward penalty attempts, however, proved costly, denying them a deserved first half lead losing out as much as 7 points.
Army resumed the second half with the same determination, regaining the lead after the turnaround and keeping CH firmly under pressure through disciplined defence and tireless work rate.
The final 20 minutes belonged decisively to CH and FC. Raising their tempo and exploiting space with superior fitness and execution, they crossed for three crucial tries that broke Army’s resistance and sealed the result. Skipper Janidu Dilshan led by example, with Prasad Madushanka and Maliksha Perera delivering sharp, influential performances.
CH’s tries came from Prasad Madushanka (2), Maliksha Perera, Kavindu Yasas, Lahiru Thilakaratne, Devinda Rathnayake and Janith Chandimal, with Yasas and Chandimal converting two tries each. Army responded through a superb hat-trick by their number 8, Vinod Kumar and a try by Buddi Srimantha, with Kumar also adding a conversion and a penalty.
Referee Jeewaka Fonseka had very good control over the game. (SJ)
