‘A’ Division’s Newest Entrant Sri Lions, Register Their Second Win of the Season
In a high-stakes, must-win thriller to stay in contention for the next round, newcomers Sri Lions Sports Club delivered a stunning 39-33 victory over Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in their own stronghold at Welisara during Week 7 of the Mastercard ‘A’ Division League Rugby Tournament. This nail-biting encounter was packed with drama, grit, and a spectacular finish, solidifying Sri Lions’ reputation as an emerging powerhouse in Sri Lankan rugby.
From the opening whistle, Sri Lions dominated the first half, delivering a masterclass in attacking rugby, romping their way to an impressive 28-0 lead. Aaron Perera ignited the scoring with a try in the 6th minute, converted by stand-in skipper Chanaka Chandimal, setting the tone at 7-0. Dulaj Navodya and Prasad Madushanka followed suit with brilliant converted tries, pushing the lead to a commanding 21-0 by the 28th minute. Kaveesha Induranga’s bonus-point try near the posts, converted again by Chandimal, brought the scoreboard to a staggering 28-0.
Navy, however, showed signs of life before halftime, as Denuwan Wickramarachchi crossed the line for a converted try, narrowing the gap to 28-7.
The second half unfolded as a heart-stopping thriller, with Navy mounting an incredible comeback. Ishara Imalka’s try, paired with Thilina Weerasinghe’s flawless conversion, reduced the deficit to 28-14. Although Chandimal added a penalty to extend the lead to 31-14, Navy capitalized on Sri Lions’ yellow-card woes. Thilina Wijesinghe and skipper Stephan Gregory led the charge with back-to-back tries which were complimented with with precise conversions. The Sailors clawed their way to within striking distance at the 79th minute mark making the scoreline read 36-33.
With the game on a knife’s edge, Sri Lions displayed nerves of steel. Anuradha Silva’s decisive penalty in the dying moments stretched their lead to 39-33, extinguishing Navy’s hopes of a miraculous turnaround.
Despite facing multiple yellow cards and a resurgent Navy side, Sri Lions held their ground, showcasing grit and determination to secure their second victory of the season.
The high-stakes encounter, fueled by passion and resilience, could have swung either way, but Sri Lions proved they belong in the top tier of rugby. After their emphatic win over CH&FC earlier in the season, this triumph further solidifies their place as a formidable contender in ‘A’ Division Rugby.
Referee: Kelum Sandaruwan
