Rampaging CR steal last-minute penalty to regain League; Kandy lose out

Monday, 23 February 2026 03:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

In a pulsating Super Round Grand Final, CR & FC edged out Kandy SC 23/21 to reclaim the League title after a fiercely contested showdown that went down to the final moments.

Kandy were leading 21/20 at the 79th minute. With Kandy failing to keep the ball within their forwards, the in-form Thenuka Nanayakkara slotted an easy under-the-posts penalty to seal the game and regain the League after a 2-year wait.

Kandy led 14-7 at halftime but CR produced a spirited second-half comeback built on territory and clutch decision-making under pressure, which ultimately proved decisive in one of the season’s most gripping finishes. Once again, Nanayakkara was outstanding both in defence as well as in attack, along with Mursheed Doray, who read the game very well. The Reds’ forwards too stood out with some fine forwards moves.

Kandy too had their chances after defending well against some tough CR onslaught. Once again, their skipper Tharindu Chaturanga, Thilina Bandara, and Dahan Wickramarachchi stood out for them. Losing out Soori, Heshan Jansen, and Hirusha Sampath was a big blow for the up-country outfit. Further, a Red Card to Dinal Ekanayake was another setback for Kandy. Yuvan Pathirana, having a full game played with lot of maturity, showed what’s more to come in the Knockout season. Kavindu Perera and Diluksha Dange too shined for Kandy.

Omalka Gunaratne opened the scoring momentum for CR, before Chemod Muthunayake powered over with a determined finish that kept the Longdon Place side within striking distance. Viduna Amaneth then delivered a crucial try as CR surged ahead during the closing stages. Fly-half Thenuka Nanayakkara played a pivotal role, calmly slotting a conversion and two penalties. His nerve in front of goal, especially the late match-winning kick, sealed a memorable victory and sparked jubilant celebrations among CR supporters.

Kandy SC, dominant in the opening half, showed their attacking class through tries by Thilina Bandara, Tharindu Chathuranga, and Diluksha Dange. With accurate kicking from Shaheed Zumri and Anura Perera, the hill capital side looked poised to defend their supremacy.

However, the Reds’ defensive steel and tactical composure turned the contest. Winning key breakdown battles and maintaining territorial pressure, they forced errors at critical moments to wrest control of the match when it mattered most.

The victory marks a significant achievement for CR & FC, reflecting a season defined by consistency and belief. Their ability to overturn a halftime deficit in a high-stakes final underlines the club’s championship pedigree and competitive spirit.

Kandy had to be satisfied with runner-up after losing three games this season and sadly missed out experienced Soori, Jansen, and Sampath in the Grand Final, which was costly in the end.

Referee Craig Chan from Hong Kong China controlled the game.