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Theekshana Eshan of Sri Lions in an attacking move
By Shamseer Jaleel
Sri Lions Sports Club have announced their arrival in Sri Lanka’s A Division Rugby League with a nail-biting 25/21 win over CH & FC at Racecourse ground last weekend.
Century plus old club and one of Sri Lanka’s rugby stalwarts, CH & FC found themselves at the receiving end of a spirited Lions side that has quickly silenced critics and proven they are not just here to make up the numbers.
The victory was no small feat. After starting the season grappling with numerous challenges, the Lions finally found their rhythm. The game saw them take a commanding lead, only for CH to mount a fierce comeback in the dying moments. With CH’s forwards pressing hard, the Lions showed remarkable composure, earning a crucial penalty in the final minutes. Skipper Kevin Kutty Dixon sealed the win by kicking the ball into touch, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and fans alike.
Sri Lions Assistant Coach Amila Chathuranga speaking to Daily FT said “When we began the season, we played practice matches against Kandy and Army and performed well. But the boys were unsure if we would even compete in the A Division, which affected morale,” Chathuranga said. “We only received confirmation about our participation five days before the first game. It was tough to motivate the players initially, but they knew their potential and worked hard to overcome those mental hurdles Our forwards delivered 200% and set the tone for the game,” Chathuranga, the former Science College, St. Joseph’s and now Ananda Head Coach, explained and said backs also played a crucial role, and the team found a good rhythm. We missed three clear opportunities to score tries, which would have made the win more comfortable, but the boys showed grit and determination to see the game through.”
‘Kevin Kutty has been exceptional as captain. His experience at school and national levels has kept the team united and motivated,” he added
Sri Lions President Dr. Kelum Sujith Perera said “Beating a team like CH is a significant achievement, but we are not focused on instant results. Our boys are improving day by day, and this win is just the beginning. Our performances against top teams like Kandy and CR showed our potential. Against Kandy, we led for the first 30 minutes, and against Army, we were level at halftime. These results prove that Sri Lions are competitive and here to stay, our boys have shown outstanding discipline, with minimal penalties and infringements. Referees consistently praise our team for playing according to the whistle, and this is a value we want to instil in Sri Lions rugby.
He ended by saying “I foresee very close games ahead against teams like Air Force, Navy, Havelocks, and Police. If we focus on the basics and stick to our game plan, we will continue to improve. The deserving team will always win, and I’m confident Sri Lions will
make their mark in this league,” he concluded.
