CH hang on to edge Air Force in Longdon Place thriller
Air Force Sports Club fell short by the narrowest of margins as CH&FC pulled off a thrilling two-point victory, by 31-29 in their final first-round fixture of the SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 at Longdon Place yesterday.
Both teams collected bonus points after scoring four tries apiece. Air Force also earned a losing bonus point for finishing within five points, but a missed conversion ultimately proved decisive in their heartbreakingly close defeat.
Samitha Warnakulasuriya of CH carries the ball to brace a try - Pic by Eshan Fernando
CH crossed for four converted tries and added a penalty, while Air Force also scored four tries but managed only three conversions along with a penalty. The Maitland Crescent outfit opened the scoring through a driving forwards’ move in the second minute, hooker Pulasthi Dasanayake grounding the ball before fullback Janith Chandimal converted to make it 7-0. Chandimal then slotted a penalty in the 13th minute to extend the lead to 10-0.
Dasanayake was sent to the sin bin in the 17th minute, but the Airmen failed to capitalise, managing only a penalty through scrumhalf Kaveesha Kaluarachchi in the 23rd minute. When Air Force lock Nilantha Jayaweera was yellow-carded in the 35th minute, CH made full use of the numerical advantage, with scrumhalf Maliksha Perera darting over in the 38th minute. Chandimal’s conversion ensured CH went into the interval with a commanding 17-3 lead.
Despite being reduced to 14 men early in the second half, Air Force hit back through prop Manuka Perera in the 45th minute. However, Kaluarachchi’s missed conversion would later loom large, leaving the score at 17-8. CH responded swiftly, winger Samitha Warnakulasuriya finishing off a flowing move in the 49th minute, with Chandimal converting to stretch the lead to 24-8.
Air Force then enjoyed a sustained spell of dominance, scoring through flanker Sashika Fernando in the 54th minute and hooker Parakrama Ratnayake in the 74th. Kaluarachchi converted the first, before experienced flyhalf Gayantha Iddamalgoda took over the kicking duties as the Airmen sensed an unlikely comeback, with CH leading narrowly at 24-22.
However, a blocked clearance by replacement flanker Naham Hemachandra in the 76th minute proved pivotal, allowing Chandimal to add further points and give CH a 31-22 cushion. Air Force refused to surrender, prop Perera crashing over in the final minute to keep hopes alive. Iddamalgoda converted from a difficult angle, but it was not enough as Air Force fell agonisingly short, with CH sealing a dramatic win to book their place in the Cup Segment of the Super Round.