Inter-Club Rugby first round review 

• Kandy SC remain unbeaten, Havies in close pursuit but CR losing grip

By Shamseer Jaleel

As the first round of the Mastercard Inter-Club Rugby League 2024/25 concludes, Kandy SC have cemented their dominance by remaining the only unbeaten outfit after their eight consecutive victories. 

The outstation outfit, which has won the most number of League and Clifford Cup titles, have shown their superiority with a staggering 263-point difference, scoring 372 points while conceding only 109. Their flawless performance has earned them 47 points, placing them at the top of the standings. 

The outfit under Srinarth Sooriyabandara, being simply outstanding, demolished many sides this season. With the Super Round coming up, two of their important games against Havies and CR to be played at Nittawela is yet another bonus for them. To beat Kandy and their spectators at home is a near impossible task for any club. The only team that could come close to this range is the Havies outfit under the watchful eyes of Saliya Kumara, who knows better than any other about the club he represented a decade ago. Kandy will be only once in Colombo for an Air Force game.

Chasing closely behind are the Havelock Sports Club, who have managed seven wins from eight matches, only falling short against Kandy SC; that too, after leading most of the games and having lost out at the last minute. Havies have demonstrated resilience with 262 points scored and 177 conceded, accumulating 42 points – just five points adrift of Kandy SC. Abdullah Faiz led the side with outstanding leadership, with support from Ajmir Fajudeen and Samuel Maduwantha, who are top players in the Park Club camp. If Havies win their first two Super Round games against CR and Air Force, then the decider will be the final encounter at Nittawela, which will decide the League.

CR & FC remain waiting for the outcome of Kandy and Havies as they have already lost out on two games so far. Their chances of defending the League is decreasing. They are in third position as of now. The Red Shirts’ tally stands at 37 points, with six wins, two losses and an 84-point difference, keeping them within 10 points of the table leaders. Head Coach Lewke needs to do some black magic in order to retain the League this year with a clean sheet in the three Super Round games, plus expect Kandy to lose two of their Super Round games.

Sri Lanka Air Force SC has emerged as a solid mid-table competitor, securing super wins over Army, CH, and Sri Lions. Air Force under Asela Deshapriya had done remarkably well to secure a Cup berth after a 13-year drought.

At the lower end of the table, playing in the Plate segment, CH are placed at number five with 21 points, followed by Army (18), Police (15), debutants Sri Lions (13), as well as last-placed Sailors (5), who have had a disastrous season without a single win under their belt.

Looking ahead to the Super Round Cup segment

With Round 1 now completed, the focus shifts to the second half of the tournament, where teams will look to strengthen their positions. Kandy SC remains the team to beat but Havelock SC and CR & FC will be eager to close the gap and challenge for the top spot, with the Park Club having an outside chance for the League provided they win all three of their remaining games. But the toughest will be the Kandy encounter, the last one at Nittawela.

The Super Round of the Plate segment commenced with CH and Army looking as the front-runners. 

As the competition intensifies, expect thrilling encounters, strategic battles, and fierce rivalries as Sri Lanka’s top rugby clubs fight for supremacy in the Inter-Club Rugby League 2024/25.