Clifford Cup final 2025 tomorrow

Saturday, 5 April 2025 01:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

The final of the Clifford Cup 2025 tomorrow (6 April) between Kandy SC and CR & FC at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium is going to be a blockbuster encounter played in front of a packed stadium.

Kandy has won the title 21 times, losing out only in 1994 and 2014. Remarkably, they have only failed to secure the Cup on two occasions when they participated, further cementing their dominance in Sri Lankan club rugby after their re-birth since 1992, surprisingly having never won a single tournament before 1992.

Kandy’s path to the final saw them ease past Sri Lions and CH & FC, underlining their status as the team to beat.

Meanwhile, CR battled through two intense encounters, overcoming defending Clifford Cup champions Police SC in the quarter-finals before edging out Havelock SC in a gripping semi-final. The Reds will take confidence from their two encounters in these knockout games, but they are well aware that Kandy present an entirely different challenge; plus, playing at Nittawela is a nightmare for any visiting team in front of a majority filled-up home crowd.

Adding to CR’s concerns is their record against Kandy this season. In the League campaign, Kandy secured victories in both encounters, winning at Longdon Place and Nittawela as well.

Kandy SC will be led by experienced campaigner Srinath Sooriyabandara, though Lasindu Karunathilake will assume captaincy duties for areas in the final due to an injury to regular skipper Gemunu Chethiya.

This final will be an emotional one for Kandy SC star Nigel Ratwatte, who is set to play his last club match. Dinal Ekanayake, Shaahid Zumri, Danushka Ranjan, and Kavindu Perera have been in outstanding form, while scrum-half Heshan Jensen combines well with the three-quarters and forwards. Kandy SC playmaker Tarinda Ratwatte, who is injured, looks to be a doubtful starter. In forwards, Kenula Hettiarachchi and Thilina Bandara been omnipresent.

Head Coach Fazil Marija will be looking for a rugby double this season, in addition to continuing their unbeaten streak this season. Forwards Coach will be Henry Terence, with Kapila Silva managing the outfit, while Tharaka Algama will be looking into the boys’ fitness as Trainer.

CR & FC, coached by former Sri Lanka skipper Dushanth Lewke, will rely on key players such as fullback Mursheed Doray, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Chamod Muthunayake, and skipper Lasindu Karunathilake. They will need to produce their best performance of the season to counter Kandy’s firepower as they will be missing out on two of their best players, skipper Gemunu Chethiya and Adeesha Weerathunge.

Rohan Chinthaka, the former Isipathana and CR fly-half, manages the Reds’ outfit.

Referee Gihan Yatawara will control the game.

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