Air Force cruise past Sri Lions for fourth straight win
Air Force SC recorded their fourth win of the SLR–Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 season after completely taming Sri Lions SC by 39–18 in a Week 9 encounter at Longdon Place yesterday. The Airmen led 17–8 at half-time and went on to post seven tries, converting two of them, to finish with full bonus points. Sri Lions, who battled hard to match their opponents, scored three unconverted tries and a penalty.
The star of the game was hooker Shamika Kaushan, who completed a hat-trick of tries for the winners after his side trailed briefly in the first half. Centre Afa Vaovosa touched down in the fifth minute as the Airmen took an early 5–0 lead. Sri Lions responded through fullback Nadun Kaveesha, who slotted a penalty in the 13th minute and then crossed for a try two minutes later to put his side ahead 8–5.
Air Force centre Afa Vaovosa goes to score the first try of the game, handing off Sri Lions scrumhalf Nadun Kaveesha and a desperate centre Jona Sandravesi - Pic by Eshan Fernando
The relentless Airmen struck back, thwarting every attempt by their opponents and adding two more tries to their tally. Winger Arosh Ratnayake scored in the 19th minute as Air Force regained the lead at 10–8, before Kaushan crossed for the first of his three tries in the 34th minute to extend the advantage. With fly-half Gayantha Iddamalgoda converting, the Airmen went into the half-time break leading 17–8.
After the restart, Kaushan added two more unconverted tries in the 41st and 47th minutes as Air Force surged to a 27–8 lead. Scrum-half Praneeth Silva then provided a moment of relief for Sri Lions with an unconverted try in the 60th minute to make it 27–13.
Air Force added two further tries in the 64th and 79th minutes through fullback Ishara Maduranga and scrum-half Vishal Akalanka. Skipper and centre Pramothya Padmasanka converted to take Air Force’s total to 39 points.
After several failed attempts, Sri Lions managed a consolation try when centre Jona Sandravesi crossed after the contest was effectively decided.