Inter-Club Rugby 2024/2025 preview

By Shamseer Jaleel

Unbeaten Kandy look unstoppable

The Inter Club Rugby League 2024/25 season has reached its decisive phase, with Kandy SC maintaining their unbeaten streak at the top of the table. As the competition enters its final stages, the battle for both the Cup and Plate Championships intensifies, with teams vying for supremacy and a strong finish.

Kandy SC continues to dominate the league, winning all nine of their matches so far. With two home games remaining at their fortress in Nittawela, their path to the title seems all but secured. Sitting comfortably at the top with 53 points, they have an impressive points difference of 296, showing their dominance over opponents. Given their form and class this season, and the difficulty of beating Kandy at home, it appears unlikely that any team will dethrone them. Their last two matches are against CR and FC (9 March) and Havies (16 March) expected to be a sell-out crowd.

Havies' slim hope in title chase

Havelock SC, currently in second place with 43 points, faces a near-impossible task to snatch the title from Kandy SC. For the Havies to claim the championship, they must win both their remaining matches with bonus points while hoping Kandy loses both. With Kandy playing their last two fixtures at home, this scenario remains highly improbable, but mathematically, the race isn’t over just yet.

CR and FC out of contention

CR and FC, the defending champions, find themselves out of the title race after suffering two defeats in their nine matches. Despite securing 42 points and displaying strong performances throughout the season, their title defence has fallen short. With only a one-point difference between them and Havelock SC, they will aim to finish as high as possible in the standings to secure a respectable finish plus the ranking for the Clifford Cup will be used as a yardstick of League standing.

Plate Championship heats up

While the Cup Championship battle leans heavily in Kandy’s favour, the Plate Championship is far from over. CH and FC, Army SC, and Police SC are all still in contention, making for an exciting end to the season. CH and FC lead the Plate standings with 33 points, closely followed by Army SC (30 points) and Police SC (27 points). With every match carrying weight, these teams will be fighting hard for a strong finish in the competition.

Navy SC’s struggles continue

On the other end of the table, Navy SC has endured a disappointing season, failing to register a single victory in their 10 matches. With just six points and a staggering -252 points difference, the sailors have sunk to the bottom of the standings. Their poor performance means they will miss out on the prestigious Clifford Cup Knockout stage this year, marking a tough campaign for the team. This will be the very first time they will miss out on the Clifford Cup not being able to get selected in the 8 team competition. Sri Lions are likely to hold their 8th position narrowly making the cut in their debut year at A division rugby.

As the Inter Club Rugby League 2024/25 season nears its conclusion, all eyes will be on Kandy SC to see if they can complete an unbeaten campaign. Meanwhile, the battle for the Plate Championship remains wide open, with CH and FC, Army SC, and Police SC all pushing for a strong finish. Regardless of the outcomes, the league has provided thrilling encounters, fierce rivalries, and moments of brilliance that have captivated Sri Lanka’s rugby fans.